Building our coop, do's, don'ts, must haves?

[TeamV8]

The build is on! We live in central Texas where it's H O T! The coop will be built between 2 trees so there will be some shade. We're incorporating a few ideas found online.

Our plans are mostly based off this coop but with a larger run (we have acreage)



But the end will be more like this style



Can we build it right on the ground or should we put it on a concrete slab?
The first one has a 'sky light' made from a piece of plexiglass. I LOVE this idea, but got to thinking maybe I don't want more sunlight beaming in with our warm climate?
While we're mostly hot it does get cold in the winters with a few freezes each year but mostly 30's and 40's. Do we need to insulate?
Do we need a heating lamp?
Do we need a pop door or could we leave the entry from the run to the house an open arc even in the winter?

What else do we need to know, must have, etc

 

[Judy]

You might want to consider a more open air design in this climate. They don't need 4 solid walls even in winter in this climate. Mine has 4 sides but large areas of two sides are hardware cloth, plus it is open air all the way around, between roof and walls. Chickens can actually die over 100 degrees, and must have plenty of breeze and shade in hot weather.

Here is a thread to give you an idea of what has worked well for others down here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/163417/please-show-me-your-hot-weather-coops

 

[chfite]

I would set it on concrete blocks or other footer. You don't want it to rot away. A slab would be more expense that seems worthwhile.

More of a roof overhang would help keep the rain out. I have my vents up at the top just under the eave so rain won't blow in.

A pop door enables closing the chickens in for sure. I would do that unless your run is predator-proof and covered.

Ventilation is quite important for chickens. You won't need insulation. Lighting only if you think you will need to look inside. Chickens won't need a heat lamp after they are feathered out.

It is helpful to read about what others have done. Look at the gallery featuring coops and read about their features.

Chris

 

[buffs only]

If I were you I would cover my run with a tin roof to provide full time shade, as well as cover against the elements. I have my coop off the ground about 2 and a half feet and they love to get under it when its hot here ( metro Atlanta area ). I know that in Texas you biggest concern should be the heat, make sure you have a lot of air flow and a way for the heat to get out. I have over 400 sq feet of covered run and I think that was the best thing I did when planing my set-up, the heat can be a killer. Best of luck

Buffs only

 

[LittleSticks]

Plenty of ventilation but in places where the chickens won't be in a draft. It's easier than it sounds. You can use ventilation registers with louvers that are available at home improvement stores. I always add hardware cloth to the inside of any opening.

Linoleum flooring or elastomeric roof coating on the floor makes clean up SO much easier.

Think about where you are going to hang feeders and waterers in the coop and run before you build.

You are already ahead of the game because you are asking questions before you are building!

 

[TeamV8]

All great ideas! Thanks for the input. We drew and redrew and redrew again but we started building on Saturday and it's coming along. Still trying to decide if we want the whole run covered. The hen house is off the ground so there's some covered space but in the process of buying supplies we acquired 3 more chicks so now I'm worried we won't have enough covered space.

 

[andycowboy]

All great ideas! Thanks for the input. We drew and redrew and redrew again but we started building on Saturday and it's coming along. Still trying to decide if we want the whole run covered. The hen house is off the ground so there's some covered space but in the process of buying supplies we acquired 3 more chicks so now I'm worried we won't have enough covered space.

Chicken math has struck again - started building...poof! More birds!

Not sure where in central TX you are, but I'm outside of Wimberley. My henhouse has: rear wall...enclosed with vents at the top. Side walls...lower half enclosed, upper half (8' tall) chicken wire. Front wall...non-existent (wide open into run). Run...side "walls"...lower 2' metal roofing, 2' of hardware cloth, upper two feet+ chicken wire. Front...recycled bi-fold door (slatted), hardware cloth and chicken wire. House and run are both roofed with metal roofing. Plenty of ventilation, but also good protection inside the whole coop from heavy breezes and most of the rain.

Can we build it right on the ground or should we put it on a concrete slab?
This coop (first) is directly on the ground, so it's one continuous "floor" - no need for ramps and ladders except inside the coop to get to the nesting boxes. I use dead cedar branches as roosts and to assist in climbing to the boxes, and in the run for their climbing enjoyment. Just a note...the new coop is planned for being 2' off the ground, primarily because the chicken area seems to pool a lot when it rains.

The first one has a 'sky light' made from a piece of plexiglass. I LOVE this idea, but got to thinking maybe I don't want more sunlight beaming in with our warm climate?
The birds love the sunlight, especially during dust bathing and just simply to sunbathe. You'll catch them spread-eagle lying in the sun and watching you work on their creature comforts.

While we're mostly hot it does get cold in the winters with a few freezes each year but mostly 30's and 40's. Do we need to insulate?
Not in my opinion - that ocassional freeze we get aroiund here doesn't usually contain high winds that are extremely cold...just solid cold. As long as the kids have a breeze-protected enclosure - and unless they'r under about 5-6 weeks of age and not feathered out, they'll be fine.

Do we need a heating lamp?
I only use a heat lamp in the henhouse brooder to keep babies warm - the older birds are generally fine without it. However, we're also talking comfort/happy birds - nothing wrong with providing a little extra warmth for them when the temps drop. The new coop - finalizing the drawings right now - will have one in it just for that reason. And just in case we get a repeat of the winter we had a couple of years ago!

Do we need a pop door or could we leave the entry from the run to the house an open arc even in the winter?
If your run is completely secure - if there's such a thing - from predators, the need for a pop door is pretty much non-exstent...like I said, my current coop is wide open in the front...no wall. However, the new coop will have henhouse pop doors for added protection, and an enclosed - the bottom half - house...again, primarily for protection more than anything else.

I use large pine shavings on the house floor, mixed with a little DE, and hay in the nesting boxes. Keep in mind that, as said above, the birds don't much care, as long as they can roost at night. Also keep in mind that these are my opinions, and are based in things that have been working for me, and which fit my tastes. I would suggest that, as you get started with this very enjoyable project, that you go through as many of these coop threads as possible, and take a look at the many different coops built by other members! That's where I've gotten dang near all of my ideas...and the new coop is going to reflect many of those ideas.

and hope you have great luck and many hours of enjoyment with your new project!

Have a great day, and God bless!