We are building a coop in the spring here in Maine, USA. I have looked through a lot of the threads here on other places on line on building a coop. I want to give a run down on my plans with hope of refinement before spring.
Building a walking style coop that will measure 8 ft x 8 ft with 6 ft high walls the roof Will be sloped to the back using some reclaimed rafters from a demo project, as will a most of the other materials. I have some old 1/2 window sections I will put in for natural lighting plus they will be hinged and the opening lined with hardware cloth to open for ventilation in the summer months. I plan to put in eve venting for year round air flow. I have an Intex 15 foot X 48 inch Metal Frame Pool that busted last year I am planning on using the side walls on the lower part of the building to keep out draft and the pool floor liner to line the coop floor for east wash out.
In side the space, I am going to reserve a 3 ft x 5 ft space for feed storage and supplies, the rest will be for the chickens. Have not planned roost or nesting boxes but will once I start drawing things out. I am planning a guillotine style door for the chickens to enter and exit. Not sure if this is any thing any one has done but was thinking of another guillotine door on the back side for a clean out door that I will lock when not in use.
My main dilemma is keeping the coop cool in the summer, property has no shade, I plan on putting a tin or fiberglass roofing on some of the out door pen for some shade and plan to position the coop and pen so the coop with shade it some but how can I keep the coop cooler inside? Should I insulate the walls??
Any tips, suggestions or links to threads that may help would be great. I will post in the Maine thread to get a little more local help.
Thanks,
Daniel
Building a walking style coop that will measure 8 ft x 8 ft with 6 ft high walls the roof Will be sloped to the back using some reclaimed rafters from a demo project, as will a most of the other materials. I have some old 1/2 window sections I will put in for natural lighting plus they will be hinged and the opening lined with hardware cloth to open for ventilation in the summer months. I plan to put in eve venting for year round air flow. I have an Intex 15 foot X 48 inch Metal Frame Pool that busted last year I am planning on using the side walls on the lower part of the building to keep out draft and the pool floor liner to line the coop floor for east wash out.
In side the space, I am going to reserve a 3 ft x 5 ft space for feed storage and supplies, the rest will be for the chickens. Have not planned roost or nesting boxes but will once I start drawing things out. I am planning a guillotine style door for the chickens to enter and exit. Not sure if this is any thing any one has done but was thinking of another guillotine door on the back side for a clean out door that I will lock when not in use.
My main dilemma is keeping the coop cool in the summer, property has no shade, I plan on putting a tin or fiberglass roofing on some of the out door pen for some shade and plan to position the coop and pen so the coop with shade it some but how can I keep the coop cooler inside? Should I insulate the walls??
Any tips, suggestions or links to threads that may help would be great. I will post in the Maine thread to get a little more local help.
Thanks,
Daniel
