Coop Building Reference Table....(suggestion area only)

[Zahboo]

We've always learned, 4 sq foot inside and 10 sq foot outside in run. If you live in a climate where they'll be snowed in for a week, boost it up to about 5 or 6. I think there should be a link to patandhcickens' ventilation page. Also maybe cover DE, sand, and all that stuff you hear about, but is never explained in this section.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

Quote:
The 10 sf has been the suggested minimum for the 'run' whenever I've seen the question asked (sometimes I see 8-10 sf, but mostly 10). I'm sure if the chickens spend a lot of time free-ranging they can probably get by with less, but many people can't free-range their chickens because of predators, etc. We do let ours free-range for about 4 hours per day, but I still try to keep a large run for them.

If you do a search on BYC for run size, you'll see where I got my info. These are pretty recent threads, but are the same numbers as I saw when I started BYC and needed info on building my own.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=195454

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=184017

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=169815

edited to change spelling (fun into run)

 

[redhawkou812]

Jeff,
I talked with a couple ME's today & they aren't going to be much help. Not their expertise & I can appreciate that. But I did some snoopin' around & found an equation that I think will be benefical. I've got a call in to our local extension office & want to talk with someone before I go with this. I know there are some that believe that more is better when it comes to ventilation, but it's like anything in life, too much of any good thing isn't. I want folks to understand the basic principle of ventilation & making it work for them. Anyway, I've tried the formula on our coop & it's pretty darn close. Hope I knkow something tomorrow.

And where's everybody at? I thought you'd be getting a truckload of respones on this topic the way everyone enjoy's the coop builiding contests & all.

 

[River Lizard]

Quote:
Basic principle on not only ventilation system but also the overall construction of coops and runs, so I'm hoping this project provides a perfect resource to find quick answers to standard construction issues.

As far as your last statement......me too!

I look forward to seeing what you find out.

Thanks for doing the research. I'm currently working on the background image for the webpage (getting it designed so it's ready to have the outline and links dropped into it.) Then I'll start writing up the first couple of items and then it's back to collecting more data.

 

[Slywoody]

One thing i would suggest is the roof pitch in snow country vs non-snow country. It's my opinion that in snow country the roof pitch should be no less than 4/12 and 6/12 is better. Also a steel roof is better as the snow will slide right off the roof. I think the dark colored tin is better too for attracting heat from the sun. As with any building, the longer the overhang, the better to protect the building. I would also add that most of the windows go on the south side and fairly high up in the wall. Someone brought up the storage idea and i think in snow country it's almost a must, along with positioning the coop so it's relatively easy to get to, what with all the snow we get. Even though a lot of folks have had coops over the years in snow country without insulation, i would strongly suggest insulation as i have seen lots and lots of frozen combs and frozen feet. Cold also slows down egg production.

 

[River Lizard]

Woody,

Been kicking around an idea on climate zones to add to the construction information, but I figure it's going to be some people agree some people don't....where you draw the line on structual changes such as insulation, roof pitch, etc...

There's got to be a general zone across the U.S. that could be used to know where a person should or should not consider insulating or making adjustments to roof pitch, etc.... but where that line runs is going to be the hard thing to get people to agree to.

One thing about this project, we can always update and add information to it as issues arrise. Such as the topic of Foundations, some use none, while others use 4 x 4's concreted into the ground, while others use concrete blocks. Is one better than another....well that depends on a number of things, location, funds, is the ground clay, sand, rocks, etc..., how big is the coop going to be, and the list can go on and on. I would hope that we can build this to provide several options for different parts of construction and give the best list of reasons why this type of (whatever the item is) is used vs using some other structural way. This allows the builder/BYC member to decide on which would best fit their needs for building a coop.
Does that make any sense to anyone???

 

[Ladyhawke1]

Quote:
http://www.truevalue.com/content/products/ContentView.aspx?sec_id=30&subsec_id=172&con_id=3091

Dear Mountain top chicken:

I have always known what a hammer and a nail was all about. However, I am determined to build a decent home for my girls and now I have the time. So, I have been reading and looking for things to help me build a decent coop.

I now feel like Tim, “The Tool Man Taylor” on HOME IMPROVEMENT…..Arrrr, arrr, arrr. I never knew one could get sooooo excited over picking out shinny NEW tools for ones projects.

Regarding rafters and angles. I came across this little tool I have always seen but never knew what it was for. It is called a Speed Square. I intend to get one and become the queen of the angles and rafters. Hope this makes sense to you.

 

[River Lizard]

Quote:
I never build without a speed square!

Also, a sliding bevel is another useful tool for things that are not "Square" such as the ends of rafters:

They're like 7-9 bucks at Lowe's.

 

[redhawkou812]

Both great tools to have! I like the subcategories idea. There's more ways to build & more designs available than you can shake a stick at. It would be impossible to do w/o 'em. If we do a climate zone breakdown, wouldn't it make sense to use the already established zones for agriculture? We could clearly sate "this is only a recommendation" on such issues as roof pitch, type, etc. I picture a resource center filled with more information & options for construction than anyone individual will need. It's up to the individual to pull what info is useful to him/her & go with it.

 

[Slywoody]

I like the sub category idea. I think most folks would be able to figure out if they need insulation or a steeper pitch on the roof by where they live. I say give them all the options so they can choose.