Coop design in Florida

[nightmarepatrol]

Here's some background. We live in the unincorporated area of on three fourths of an acre. I guess we are functionally at the transition point between suburbia and where I really want to be. The center of our lot is essentially about a twelve acre cypress stand. This has water in it a far portion of the year but on occasion gets dry. The surrounding area is heavily wooded and has lots of wildlife. This includes racoons, hawks, owls, crows, deer, turkey, opposums and coyotes as well as otters are seen on rare occasion. We also have a rather extensive reptile assortment that includes a nice assortment of venomous and non venomous snakes. Fortunately we don't have to contend with gators. Florida has a weasal, though I've never heard of one being seen. Weasal sightings are pretty rare even where there are heavy populations though. Insects here are everywhere, however I suspect what plagues chickens and what plagues us are entirely different things.

So far in my reading, research I have come to this on coop design and construction.

Funny I never payed much attention to coop design when I went to the farm as a kid. I wish I had now. So no PT lumber allowed. Allegedly "Yellawood" is okay, however my neighbor built their deck out of it and the yellawood fell apart (badly) after 4 years despite being treated. Pine plywood seems to be the most common construction material. I guess painting the outside is fine, but never the inside. From what I have read elevating the coop is the most desirable. There are details too numerous to mention about this, however I do have some questions.

1) This is Florida and it gets hot. Any non-air conditioned building can quickly become sweltering quickly. So my question is about coop placement. Afternoon shade will be at a premium, however I think I can mitigate this with a fly roof of sorts if necessary. Shade is available, but it will be right next to the cypress stand and all things wild. It would also not be readily viewable from inside. So does anybody have some wisdom to offer as far as heat load in the coop and how they deal with it. I'm looking at doing a small coop about 4x6 and 6 feet in height. That should be sufficient for a few hens (right?)

2) Ventilation. What is the preferred method of ventilation? I realize there will be some with the entry to the coop, but more than one opening will be needed. Where is the best location?

3) Access to fecal material. I was thinking of building a sliding tray accessible from the outside located under the roost This would be used to remove the feces, going on the premise that the roost will be where they spend the majority of there time inside.

4) Food and water location. Again it's Florida, so whatever food sets outside will be a food source for any insect that can make it inside (and survive). My bigger issue is the summer downpours and keeping the food and water out of the elements.

5) Hardware cloth. It sounds like quarter inch is the way to go, but half inch is cheaper. I also get the impression that I would be much farther ahead building an enclosure around the coop rather than attempting to fasten the cloth to a coop.

I'm sure I'll have a boatload of annoying noobie questions as time goes on.

Thanks,

- NP -

For what it's worth, I saw this picture (from RWD I think) It's an interesting design, though I don't know if it will work here.

 

[Judy]

You are correct that down here, there is no such thing as winter, even if it touches freezing occasionally. Heat is their threat. Shade and breeze are necessities, as well as a dependable source of fresh water. I would build a single coop/run enclosure of 1/4" hardware cloth (to keep more snakes and mice out) with just framework and wire for walls. As you realize, you will need a solid roof for the shade, perhaps over the whhole structure. You may want to close off one wall, or part of one wall, to keep food dry, make a dry place to roost, etc., but I wouldmaximize the breeze in the structure. You might seriously consider running power so that you can run a fan -- I run a box fan all summer. My coop is almost a wind tunnel, that grabs the prevailing breeze and pulls it through. (The "old timey" version of keeping chickens in this area was either a lean-to for the food, or a square of fence with a sheet of plywood balanced across the top. Hardly ideal, but they work.)

Here is a thread with a bunch of pictures of how people have coped with southern living for chickens:

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

Good luck!

 

[nightmarepatrol]

Thanks! I did see that thread too in my travels. The best location for share we have is going to be under a very large live oak. That provides shade for almost the entire day, at least until the sun heads toward the horizon. There may be some options as far as cooling go. Fortunately we have a coastal breeze pretty regularly here. It's the south, so how cool it is would be a matter of opinion. I have a lot of looking and planning to do. Yes I realize chicks are coming in from the breeders now and it's late start, but it's doable. The chicks would probably have some time in the garage before getting put in the coop anyhow.