cold weather open-air poultry house question

[KayfromWI]

I live in the mid-west where we have real winters! I have a 16'X8' shed that was delivered a few days ago. I am very interested in the open-air poultry house ideas. I was wondering how I would make the opening for the hardware cloth covered opening? Obviously I just cut the opening, but can I leave the framed studs in place? YOu could invision a jail house look to it, 1-2 large square openings (4'X4') covered with hardware cloth. Would it be detrimental to leave the framing in place and just cut the exterior wood siding? If o.k., should I paint the 2X4s? Maybe it isn't even possible to cut the exterior wood and not the framing? I need to have a plan before I tell hubby to cut my new shed!

A lovely picture would be in the topic about a "Woods" inspired house by JackE

 

[dianaross77]

I would cut the siding and leave the studs but you could also cut the studs and build a frame like you would for a window. You can certainly cut the siding before you put it on the shed. It would be easier. I think painting the studs would be wise or swap them out for pressure treated lumber.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Leave the studs unless you want to frame out a window and that requires a header and forming cripple studs below. How about just painting the studs that cross the opening black. something that will disappear in the background.....

 

[KayfromWI]

Quote:
What do you mean by "cut the siding before you put it on the shed."? maybe you are thinking this is still being built? It is already built.

I was thinking about the window option also, thanks.

I was wondering if those boards were pressure treated? Suppose not?

 

[dianaross77]

Yes I did think it was a kit. The studs won't be pressure treated because the siding would be there to protect them.

 

[JackE]

I'd cut a 3' high by 7' wide hole in one end. I redo the framing so as to have a header over the top of the new opening supported by cripple studs, with a support/framing studs in the middle. Install hardware cloth over the new opening/window You don't have to use treated wood (I didn't). Just paint it. Make sure the open end is facing away from your prevailing winter winds.
Jack

 

[teach1rusl]

Just make sure the screened areas allow for an air "dead zone" so that cold drafts cannot reach your roosting birds...

 

[stubbornhill]

If your husband has a "sawsall", he can easily cut off the portion of the shed that you want gone and still leave the framing studs. I think it would look great to paint them what ever color the rest of the outside is. It would look finished. Best wishes for getting your husband to do that! Mine would look at me like I was a mad woman!

 

[KayfromWI]

I was also thinking about using the east side door opening and covering it with screen and framing up the same size door opening on the SE corner and doing the same. So I would use two screens the size of doors on the corner of the E and SE corner. I would think the wind comes from the W or N? I could make one of the doors a two part opening so I could walk through it also. Like a horse door.

This way if I decide to turn it into storage, I could just hang up real doors.

Am I correct that people put sand in front of these openings and seperate it with a board and use deep litter elsewhere?

all this thought and the chicks aren't even born yet!