Check out my new SE Texas coop design. Opinions welcome

[WingItRanch]

Great plan. I'm also in East Texas. I started with a hand built large coop with an enclosed run. I ended up expanding the run and adding an open air coop on the end with 3 walls and roosts over a poop board. The chickens still prefer the traditional coop but with the summer heat, I needed more options. The side walls I added to the open air coop side also has the benefit of extra shade and wind protection (for the short winters).

 

[BonnieBlue]

I have 2 roost bars on opposite sides. They are 16” off the wall in the drawing but I may move them to 14”. Thoughts on that? I want to put poop boards under the roost bars. Maybe tie the poop boards into the shelf in front of the nest boxes? That would put roost bars roughly 36” - 40” off the floor. Is that ok?

I am really curious as to the advice you get, especially on this part. Overall, your coop is similar to the one I will be starting in a few weeks. I've got similar questions for how far to make the roosts (over poop boards) from the wall.

Looking forward to seeing pics of your finished product.

 

[GalvestonWader]

Progress is going slow. My kids have sports almost every day. Aaaand.... we had a storm coming a week or so ago so I threw a tarp over it because it would have standing water in there due to the pavers not allowing water to drain. Well the tarp acted like a sail and the wind blew the frame over and twisted everything up. I literally had to start over. I was so upset.

But I got over it and here is where I'm at as of last night. Built new frame and got the rafters up. Got the run wrapped with HC and almost got the coop part covered with plywood. We have a softball tourney this weekend but if I can at least get the roof on, then the girls can finally go outside while I finish all the smaller details.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Progress is going slow. My kids have sports almost every day. Aaaand.... we had a storm coming a week or so ago so I threw a tarp over it because it would have standing water in there due to the pavers not allowing water to drain. Well the tarp acted like a sail and the wind blew the frame over and twisted everything up. I literally had to start over. I was so upset.

But I got over it and here is where I'm at as of last night. Built new frame and got the rafters up. Got the run wrapped with HC and almost got the coop part covered with plywood. We have a softball tourney this weekend but if I can at least get the roof on, then the girls can finally go outside while I finish all the smaller details.

View attachment 4124879

I am sorry you had setbacks. It is looking good now, though, and is going to look great when finished!

 

[Chicku]

No advice to offer as I am just starting my chicken journey but this looks great. Thanks for sharing the pics

 

[GalvestonWader]

I got some more done this weekend between softball games. Just need to build and install the main door, put hardware cloth on the openings at each end, and install the ridge vent and then the birds can go to their new home. Hopefully in the next few days

 

[GalvestonWader]

I made a door and got it installed. And got the two big openings on the ends covered in HC. The birds are now finally in their new home! I still have a lot to do but at least its secure. Those girls are growing quick and they were DONE with the brooder.

 

[WingItRanch]

Looking good!

 

[BonnieBlue]

Looks good. I am sure your girls are happy to have room, and a nice new home!

 

[Frostette]

I’m in SE Texas so it’s really hot and humid 9 months out of the year. Previously had a store bought coop that I modified that served us well for 4 years but now ready to step it up and build something permanent.

Here’s a pic of my plan. The drawing is to scale. Total size is 8 x 16. The coop is 8 x 6 and somewhat an open air coop. Enclosed on 3 sides but there’s a large 4’ opening in the front. Plenty of ventilation vents all around the top of the coop obviously covered with HC.

I detailed the interior in the drawing. 2’ x 2’ storage for food ect. There are (3) nesting boxes 16” x 16” each with a ramp leading up to a shelf for them to walk on. I want to elevate the nesting boxes so I dont have to kneel down to get eggs. I’m thinking bottom of nest boxes roughly 24” off the floor

I have 2 roost bars on opposite sides. They are 16” off the wall in the drawing but I may move them to 14”. Thoughts on that? I want to put poop boards under the roost bars. Maybe tie the poop boards into the shelf in front of the nest boxes? That would put roost bars roughly 36” - 40” off the floor. Is that ok?

The attached run is 8 x 12 but it’s kinda all one unit. The whole thing will be covered with a roof, peak running long ways and a big overhang on all sides. Run is obviously covered in HW cloth and a skirt will be buried 2’ out.

Am I missing anything? I want to do this once and be done. Oh, and I’ll use treated wood on the entire frame. Not the interior of the coop (poop boards, roosts, nest boxes ect) but everything else. Anything wrong with that?

I’m open to thoughts and opinions. Y’all have been great and taught me everything I know up to this point lol.

How nice! I use plastic along the back wall and floor area of my roost. I sweep the droppings off the floor daily. Clean it with soap and water when it gets too dirty. I use 2x4's for roosts and think that's the only way to go!