coop design questions

[junior67]

just thought of 1 more question. if we do a walk in coop just on the ground we should put the hardware cloth under the coop/dirt correct? how far down should it go? Then just shavings over the dirt? I would think that would be harder to clean out than a coop with a floor.......

 

[aart]

just thought of 1 more question. if we do a walk in coop just on the ground we should put the hardware cloth under the coop/dirt correct? how far down should it go? Then just shavings over the dirt? I would think that would be harder to clean out than a coop with a floor.......

You could raise a walk in coop.
Mine is on piers to avoid property taxes, was built before I bought the place.
See my Coop Page.

Better to do an apron around the outside of coop if you want it on the ground.
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Happy hen lover]

ok so have them go 12" past the walls on all sides? Thanks this is exactly the information I was looking for! I don't want to have to go back and have my husband make changes after it is all done.

I have a 4x8 coop that's only 4' tall it's 18" off of ground on posts we backed it up to our north and west fence corner of privacy fence. We didn't worry about ventilation at the top. But I don't think we have the moisture you do back east. I use about 3' x 4 ' feet of back of coop for my storage area.

 

[Carson213]

personally...i would do 5 sq ft per bird...and if you’re going to build a 4x8...just do 8x8...build bigger than you think you need

 

[Happy hen lover]

I have a 4x8 coop that's only 4' tall it's 18" off of ground on posts we backed it up to our north and west fence corner of privacy fence. We didn't worry about ventilation at the top. But I don't think we have the moisture you do back east. I use about 3' x 4 ' feet of back of coop for my storage area.

My storage area . I do have a screen door for ventilation and have a wall of chicken wire between their area and mine that the wind blows through.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I only have 5 hens and they are fine with a 4 ' roost . I have a linoleum remnant on floor of coop and use the deep litter method . I scoop the big stuff once a week .

 

[3KillerBs]

I only have 5 hens and they are fine with a 4 ' roost .

By contrast, I have two sleeping on the floor because the three dominant birds won't let them up on the 4' roost.

There will be enough roost space in the new coop and I'll worry about getting them up on the roost then.

 

[jreardon1918]

Thank you. The windows will be able to be closed and will only be used for ventilation/air during the hotter months. We have a 6ft fence around our back yard and the coop will be close to it on one side so it doesn't get very windy back there. I have never noticed they winds mainly blowing in one direction here they seem to come from all over. Thanks for info on directions the windows face I didn't even think of that.

We have the same coop. We located the attached to the front. It is functional and prevents rain and snow from getting in the open windows. We always leave the windows open as I think the design needs more ventilation. The whole back of our coop opens to allow for easy clean out. Which we do a couple times per year.

 

[aart]

Too bad this thread has drifted from the OP's intent.

 

[CinnaBun]

jreardon has some great articles, definitely read through them. Very similar coop.

I like the big double doors and adding windows is a good idea. Ridge vent for ventilation.

Cupola or even a monitor roof would be good for more ventilation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/authors/jreardon1918.436523/