Building My First Coop

[EggWalrus]

Looking Good!

 

[adirondak5]

Looking Good!

Thank you and thanks for mentioning the bolts .

 

[EggWalrus]

Thank you and thanks for mentioning the bolts .

No problem! After noticing it, I would feel awful if it fell on someone. Safety first!

 

[adirondak5]

Didn't get a lot done today , need to pick up a few more sheets of siding to finish the back and front . Painted what i got up today . A gable vent will be going in also .

 

[K0k0shka]

Looking good!

I have a question (as I'm learning from other people's progress ) - I see that in some places you've doubled up on the 2x4's - like the top horizontal supports on the run part, and even in the coop itself. Is there a reason you did that instead of using a 4x4? Or even just a single 2x4? I also see that in the framing around the windows and door. I've seen that in other coop construction photos - the window and door frames have two 2x4's lined up next to each other... always wondered about that...

 

[adirondak5]

Looking good!

I have a question (as I'm learning from other people's progress ) - I see that in some places you've doubled up on the 2x4's - like the top horizontal supports on the run part, and even in the coop itself. Is there a reason you did that instead of using a 4x4? Or even just a single 2x4? I also see that in the framing around the windows and door. I've seen that in other coop construction photos - the window and door frames have two 2x4's lined up next to each other... always wondered about that...

Thanks . The doubled up 2 x 4's on the top plates are for strength , and IMO are easier to work with than 4 x 4"s and also much cheaper than 4 x 4's . The doubled 2 x 4 's around windows and door frames are for trim mostly , a single 2 x 4 does not give you much room for nailing trim . Those are pretty much the reason I doubled up on them in those areas .

 

[K0k0shka]

Thanks . The doubled up 2 x 4's on the top plates are for strength , and IMO are easier to work with than 4 x 4"s and also much cheaper than 4 x 4's . The doubled 2 x 4 's around windows and door frames are for trim mostly , a single 2 x 4 does not give you much room for nailing trim . Those are pretty much the reason I doubled up on them in those areas .

Ah, I see, thanks. That makes sense. Glad to hear the double window/door frames are just for the trim and not structural, as I was starting to wonder if I need to add more supports to mine before I nail the OSB boards to the wall frames.

Speaking of price, I recently saw somebody else's progress thread where she used landscape timbers for the run frame. I hadn't thought of that. I looked them up and they're roughly about the size of a 4x4 (I think a little shorter in one dimension and a little longer in the other, and also 8 feet long), but they're significantly cheaper than a 4x4! In terms of price, two 2x4 are the same price as one 4x4. They are easier to work with, definitely, at half the weight, but they're not cheaper if you double them up. But if you use landscape timbers instead of double 2x4's or a single 4x4, if you don't mind the weight, that cuts down on the price significantly.

 

[adirondak5]

Sometimes doubled up 2 x 4 's around windows and doors is also structual , when the framing is load bearing and headers are needed . In my coop that's not the case but it all depends how its laid out . You also have to watch with 4 x 4's and landscape timbers , I've seen 4 x 4 dimensional lumber (especially pressure treated) that's been all over the place size wise , from 3 1/2" to 4" , and landscape timbers can also be all over the place dimensionally .

 

[K0k0shka]

You also have to watch with 4 x 4's and landscape timbers , I've seen 4 x 4 dimensional lumber (especially pressure treated) that's been all over the place size wise , from 3 1/2" to 4" , and landscape timbers can also be all over the place dimensionally .

Of course. Lumber sizes in general are not precise, they're just the size they cut the wood at, and then it shrinks however much it's gonna shrink when they dry it. Landscape timbers vary even more, because they're the "ugly" low-grade cuts of lumber that are only good enough for gardens and landscaping where you don't need looks and precision. That's why they're so much cheaper, too. But, this being a chicken coop/run, I don't need them to be pretty and precise anyway. Just need something to hold the netting up without bankrupting me, so I'm gonna go with landscape timbers for the run.

 

[adirondak5]

Of course. Lumber sizes in general are not precise, they're just the size they cut the wood at, and then it shrinks however much it's gonna shrink when they dry it. Landscape timbers vary even more, because they're the "ugly" low-grade cuts of lumber that are only good enough for gardens and landscaping where you don't need looks and precision. That's why they're so much cheaper, too. But, this being a chicken coop/run, I don't need them to be pretty and precise anyway. Just need something to hold the netting up without bankrupting me, so I'm gonna go with landscape timbers for the run.

Ahh , got ya . For the run yea , no problem . I was thinking the coop itself where you need more consistency in the dimensions .