Building coop and run, have a few questions.

[3KillerBs]

I think that if we build a lip around the skylights and seal (Caulk) them properly, we can keep rain from entering the coop through the sky lights.

Why do you want the skylights?

The wire wall and the vents on the other walls will allow sufficient light into the coop and shade is your #2 critical need to protect against overheating after ventilation.

It doesn't really need to stay completely dry. You probably see many places saying how important it is that they stay dry and I agree - for cold climates. I assume your monsoon season is not while it is near freezing or below

I agree -- unless the coop is so small that the rain blows from side to side, leaving no protected area -- it's not necessary to worry about a little rain along the sides of an Open Air coop in a warm climate.

It rains in about 3 feet along the sides of Camp Cockerel but dries out rapidly and in Neuchickenstein (the coop featured in the hot climate article), the occasional storm that manages to penetrate the roof overhangs serves only to provide needed moisture to the deep litter so that it will compost in place properly.

The enclosed coops, The Little Monitor Coop and the Outdoor Brooder, need to be kept dry, but for the open ones a little moisture now and then is part of the system.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

My concern is that the coop will only be 4' deep and ANY rain coming at an angle will soak the entire thing. Monsoon rains are no joke and it will sometimes come in almost sideways. If you all don't think that is a concern, then I will take your word for it.

As for the the sky lights, we were going to put them in to get some additional natural light in the coop. Now that we will be doing an open coop design, they are not needed and will be left out.

 

[3KillerBs]

My concern is that the coop will only be 4' deep and ANY rain coming at an angle will soak the entire thing. Monsoon rains are no joke and it will sometimes come in almost sideways. If you all don't think that is a concern, then I will take your word for it.

As for the the sky lights, we were going to put them in to get some additional natural light in the coop. Now that we will be doing an open coop design, they are not needed and will be left out.

Why are you making the coop so narrow? A square structure of the same area uses less building materials? 8x8 is much easier to build than 4x16 to get the 48 square feet of coop space you need for 12 birds.

 

[Ted Brown]

I used BlackJack 57, brilliant choice for cost, durability, renew ability.

Refer to the Tech Specs for drying issues (if any) OR call the manufacturer.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Because it has already been mostly built as a 4'x8' coop. We basically just needed to put the wall boards on and build the roof. we did not plan on an 8'x8' or 4'x16', we build for a 4'x8' and are changing plans at the last minute. This is why I was planning on just using the 4'x8' coop we already built, leave off the front wall board to make it an open coop, and place additional boards, or "walls", to extend the coop we already have making the covered portion 8'x8'. I hope that makes sense. I can get pics tomorrow to better illustrate if needed.

 

[Ozarkoak]

We left San Tan Valley a few years ago and you and I both know there is no way to cool anything without air conditioning or swamp cooling. Reflective elastomeric roof coating do work but its just a piece of the puzzle. I dont like the idea of the clear skylights unless the coop is totally shaded you are basically cutting holes to let the suns death ray in. I would look into some type of swamp cooling just my 2 cents.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

We left San Tan Valley a few years ago and you and I both know there is no way to cool anything without air conditioning or swamp cooling. Reflective elastomeric roof coating do work but its just a piece of the puzzle. I dont like the idea of the clear skylights unless the coop is totally shaded you are basically cutting holes to let the suns death ray in. I would look into some type of swamp cooling just my 2 cents.

I wish we could use an A/C or swamp cooler, but that just isn't practical. For now we will use the open air coop design and place misters around the perimeter of the of the run in the spring, when it starts to heat back up. A decent misting system can do amazing things with helping to cool an area.

 

[saysfaa]

My concern is that the coop will only be 4' deep and ANY rain coming at an angle will soak the entire thing. Monsoon rains are no joke and it will sometimes come in almost sideways. If you all don't think that is a concern, then I will take your word for it.

I don't know if it is a concern; I don't know monsoon rains. Possibly, a movable wall? Yes, 4' is not a lot of depth for keeping wind-driven rain out with an 8' tall (6' openings??) space; yes, pictures would help.

 

[Ozarkoak]

I wish we could use an A/C or swamp cooler, but that just isn't practical. For now we will use the open air coop design and place misters around the perimeter of the of the run in the spring, when it starts to heat back up. A decent misting system can do amazing things with helping to cool an area.

Swamp cooling can be done cheap I'm on Phoenix craigs list and see them used for $50. Misting is fine but you need to deal with hard Queen Creek water, filtration because jets constantly plug and are expensive and the excessive moisture it creates just from small leaks. Also the smallet breeze blows your cooling in entirely the direction you are not trying to cool.You will have every bark scorpion in Pinal County drinking your misting leaks. Swamp cooling is basically a fan with a small water pump. I know exactly what you are dealing with and wish you the best. Rock on

 

[Percheron chick]

Give us pictures of the coop as it is today. Maybe we can come up with some simple modifications. Cheaper now than next summer with a complete rebuild.
Adding some solar powered roof fans will help move the hottest air under the roof too.