BaaKaaawk's Spring 2020 Coop Build Thread :)

[BaaKaaawk]

Ahhh, the beauty of Chicken Math! Rather than just *remove* some chickens, I instead take the much more sensible path of building a completely new coop to house all my ladies! I figured this will be about a month process from start to finish and to keep me sane, and on track for my build, I am going to use this thread as accountability! I've been chickening for about 15 years now, so I've built a fair share of coops, but I want this one to be a bit more special and so I researched on here a ton of coop designs and posted some specific questions about my build (like coop off the ground questions- thank you to those who helped me there!).

My concept/goal is to build the coop to match the style of my home, complete with porch, trim and all. So here's a picture of home and a picture of the coop design.

Here's my planning so I could get a reasonable idea of my Take-Off.

And here's where I am, Day 1! I dug the Eight 6x6 posts in... that was a joy. And leveled them on a non-level ground surface... more joy! And finally dropped in the concrete. Although my intent was to build a 6x8... I decided after I saw that footprint I wanted it bigger... because Chicken Math right?! On to Day 2!

 

[DobieLover]

Ahhh, the beauty of Chicken Math! Rather than just *remove* some chickens, I instead take the much more sensible path of building a completely new coop to house all my ladies! I figured this will be about a month process from start to finish and to keep me sane, and on track for my build, I am going to use this thread as accountability! I've been chickening for about 15 years now, so I've built a fair share of coops, but I want this one to be a bit more special and so I researched on here a ton of coop designs and posted some specific questions about my build (like coop off the ground questions- thank you to those who helped me there!).

My concept/goal is to build the coop to match the style of my home, complete with porch, trim and all. So here's a picture of home and a picture of the coop design.

View attachment 2073597View attachment 2073614

Here's my planning so I could get a reasonable idea of my Take-Off.

View attachment 2073615

And here's where I am, Day 1! I dug the Eight 6x6 posts in... that was a joy. And leveled them on a non-level ground surface... more joy! And finally dropped in the concrete. Although my intent was to build a 6x8... I decided after I saw that footprint I wanted it bigger... because Chicken Math right?! On to Day 2!

View attachment 2073611

Did you get any framing suggestions?

You could have saved your poor back and arms a lot of effort and only installed the four corner posts then place the framing ON TOP of the posts using structural ties and screws. They should all be doubled up to support the walls so you have a wider surface to bear the load after you put down the floor.

Are you using 24" OC framing and CA corners to save on lumber?

Your coop design is absolutely adorable and the finished product will be amazing!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Did you get any framing suggestions?

You could have saved your poor back and arms a lot of effort and only installed the four corner posts then place the framing ON TOP of the posts using structural ties and screws. They should all be doubled up to support the walls so you have a wider surface to bear the load after you put down the floor.

Are you using 24" OC framing and CA corners to save on lumber?

Your coop design is absolutely adorable and the finished product will be amazing!

Actually, framing is one of my stronger suits lol. Those 2x6's are just to square things up with my posts. I'll cut the posts down today and then notch them for the base band. You're 100% right- there are wayyyy too many posts. The 4 in the middle are 90% for looks and 10% for function. You think that all will work out good?

 

[rosemarythyme]

That is a beautiful house and a beautiful coop to match - looking forward to seeing what the finished coop looks like! Will that be a working cupola?

 

[BaaKaaawk]

That is a beautiful house and a beautiful coop to match - looking forward to seeing what the finished coop looks like! Will that be a working cupola?

Yep! It will have vents with screens on it when I'm done.

@DobieLover Here's some updated shots for the notched 2x6's. This thing will be here for 50 years I think.

 

[ChickenNV]

Beautiful house and really nice design for the new coop! I like that it mirrors the uniqueness of your home. looking forward to seeing progress.

-Ed

 

[aart]

Oh, this is going to be a fun one to watch, thanks for sharing!!

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Here's today's update. My masonry leaves a bit to be desired but I got the lattice done and was also able to do most of the box framing. Tomorrow I'm hoping to finish up the boxes and get the primary wall framing done and the wood front porch!

For reference the top area is where I will put my broody hens who want to raise a family. I'll wire that in so the chicks and mama have a mini run in the main coop until they're ready to go outside.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Got most of the framing done today. Looks like a big box but it is super sturdy and the artistic bits and character will start coming out now that I have the main coop done! Exciting. Oh I got the front porch done too.

The inspector chicken-general stopped by an approved.

8 boxes and the top area is a brooder / place where a mama hen can raise chicks in peace.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Got the front porch roof and posts done and a bunch of putsy stuff just tying up all the framing and my storage shelves, etc. And of course got the center beam in for the rafters, which I will work on tomorrow. Still looks like a giant box right now- but it is a super duper sturdy giant box lol. Tomorrow I will be able to finish all the framing I think, and then comes the siding where it will start looking like something other than a box!