OSB works for the roof under roofing. It works for walls as long as it is painted. And repainted as needed.
2x4 rafters 24" apart is enough. Purlin spacing should be what the manufacturer of the roof panels specifies. A quick look shows 4' apart is pretty standard. Ondura may be a less expensive option if you live in a climate where it works - like my upper midwest (it has lasted well for ten+ years on our buildings) so I think also like your New Jersey but ask around locally. The reviewers that detest it live in the pacific northwest and the southeast.
2x4 studs are enough for the wall with the sheeting to stabilize it. I don't know about the other walls. It would be enough if you had some diagonal bracing.
Do not set the posts in cement. That holds moisture against the posts. Either put them above ground. Gravel isn't necessary if you have skids or a plate or horizontal legs. Or get a post hole digger (those narrow clamshell jaws with two handles) so you can dig a narrow hole below the frost line then tamp them in.
Since you are planning on a back wall anyway, have you considered using that for the back wall of your coop? Two or three more walls is probably less expensive than the 31/2 x 41/2 coop and would let you walk into it besides giving your chickens enough room that they could stay inside comfortably even during snow storms. Two more walls would work well if the three walls were solid; the wind has no where to go. Edit to add: add the proportions are right; if it isn't deep enough for how wide it is then it won't work. Or if it is too deep but that won't be close to happening with your dimensions.
2x4 rafters 24" apart is enough. Purlin spacing should be what the manufacturer of the roof panels specifies. A quick look shows 4' apart is pretty standard. Ondura may be a less expensive option if you live in a climate where it works - like my upper midwest (it has lasted well for ten+ years on our buildings) so I think also like your New Jersey but ask around locally. The reviewers that detest it live in the pacific northwest and the southeast.
2x4 studs are enough for the wall with the sheeting to stabilize it. I don't know about the other walls. It would be enough if you had some diagonal bracing.
Do not set the posts in cement. That holds moisture against the posts. Either put them above ground. Gravel isn't necessary if you have skids or a plate or horizontal legs. Or get a post hole digger (those narrow clamshell jaws with two handles) so you can dig a narrow hole below the frost line then tamp them in.
Since you are planning on a back wall anyway, have you considered using that for the back wall of your coop? Two or three more walls is probably less expensive than the 31/2 x 41/2 coop and would let you walk into it besides giving your chickens enough room that they could stay inside comfortably even during snow storms. Two more walls would work well if the three walls were solid; the wind has no where to go. Edit to add: add the proportions are right; if it isn't deep enough for how wide it is then it won't work. Or if it is too deep but that won't be close to happening with your dimensions.
Last edited:
