Building a coop question

[Katlinalyssa]

Okay so I started with a prefab coop but I want more chickens so I’m going to build from scratch! We built a secure run and put the prefab coop inside it. I’m wondering if I can build a 3 sided coop on a concrete pad and have the bare side butt up against the end of the run. It has a galvanized panel and a clear sheet of roofing on the side now to protect the run from sideways rain. I will swap the clear sheet with another galvanized panel and cut a hole for a pop door in the bottom panel. There’s space at the top that could be ventilation. The coop will be 4x8 with 7 chickens in it. Will this work or should the coop have all 4 sides with plywood and siding? I live in western Washington and we don’t get too terrible winters. Mostly lots of rain.

The prefab coop will come out and be used as a space to introduce the new girls.

 

[TwoChicksChix]

So you are definitely going to want to protect your girls from the rain. Down here in Florida, rain causes all sorts of issues like sickness and respiratory stuff, bugs, worms, gnats, etc.

How cold do the winters near you get?
See the biggest issue in Florida is heat, not cold, so mine need lots of ventilation to allow for good air flow.

I built my larger coop from 2x2’s with wire around all areas that need to be covered, and then a plastic siding on top of that. This makes it easy to clean and lightweight. Plus, we add chicken wire to the floor and cover it with another piece of the plastic. Then I can just pull it out and hose it off and put it back in, easy peasy.

Do you have issues with predators? Raccoons, possums, foxes, dogs, etc. also, what type of hardware wire are you planning to use?

I just find the plastic works better and lasts longer than plywood. Our plywood coop already got holes that had been patched up and our plastic ones are doing amazing.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

So you are definitely going to want to protect your girls from the rain. Down here in Florida, rain causes all sorts of issues like sickness and respiratory stuff, bugs, worms, gnats, etc.

How cold do the winters near you get?
See the biggest issue in Florida is heat, not cold, so mine need lots of ventilation to allow for good air flow.

I built my larger coop from 2x2’s with wire around all areas that need to be covered, and then a plastic siding on top of that. This makes it easy to clean and lightweight. Plus, we add chicken wire to the floor and cover it with another piece of the plastic. Then I can just pull it out and hose it off and put it back in, easy peasy.

Do you have issues with predators? Raccoons, possums, foxes, dogs, etc. also, what type of hardware wire are you planning to use?

I just find the plastic works better and lasts longer than plywood. Our plywood coop already got holes that had been patched up and our plastic ones are doing amazing.

The area where the coop will be is pretty protected from rain by our trees. Our winters are usually pretty mild. We have some nights/mornings that get in the teens but not many.
We’ve had a couple possums and a skunk. Nothing has been able to get into the run. I was thinking of getting a roll of 1/4” hardware cloth to cover my ventilation areas.
I’m mostly concerned if 3 wooden sides and 1 galvanized paneled side will be sufficient. I don’t want them to be cold come winter time.

 

[Kiki]

I have an open air fully roofed coop that is completely wrapped in 1/2 hardware cloth to keep all predators out.

I would cover any and all holes over a an inch with hardware cloth if I were you.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

I have an open air fully roofed coop that is completely wrapped in 1/2 hardware cloth to keep all predators out.

I would cover any and all holes over a an inch with hardware cloth if I were you.

I can do that! Thank you!

 

[culturalinfidel]

I think that you will be fine with the 3 sides wood + 1 side galvanized. As long as it is secure, your girls will be fine. I'm not too far north of you and the girls survive the winter just fine in our coop and we keep the door open every night year round. Never had a predator issue since building the coop almost 3 years ago.

 

[rosemarythyme]

3 sides wood + 1 galvanized should be fine, it doesn't get cold enough for long enough for cold to be a real issue.