Coop Design

[stargate]

Was considering the following design for my 9 chickens.

Based off of ease of build (using 4'x8' sheets of Composite Siding and treated 4"x4"s).

open bottom using deep litter method and possibly corrugated plastic for the roof.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I don't see an angle to the roof. It wont shed water or snow with a flat roof.

I also dont see any vertical studs in your drawing......

Maybe look at the coop pages here for help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

4' high off the ground will be hard for you to access for cleaning and chicken exams(off roost at night). Go 8' high for walk-in ease. 4x4's for framing is overkill.

 

[stargate]

I figured that I would add an inch or two for roof angle, and I'm considering making the top hinged so I can just open the whole top up with 4' being an easy thing i can bend over (I'm 6'5" tall).

As far as center supports (vertical studs), the idea was to make a cube (out of 4x4) and I don't think that would be required at that point (i see what your referring to, would make each nesting box 10" instead of 12" wide :| )?

If i dont use 4x4, I'd be using 2x4 and that seems to be hard on the side that is only attaching to the ~2" side of the 2x4.

 

[aart]

I'm considering making the top hinged so I can just open the whole top up

Think about how will that work when it's raining....or snowing?

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4x8 may be a bit tight for 9 birds.

If you can see my signature,
there's 3 links to good reads there about Space, Ventilation, and Heights in coop.
Check 'em out.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I see.... You are saying a 4' high coop on the ground.

Opening that roof with it being 4x8.....leverage will be against you. It will be shockingly heavy.
Not to mention if you have a sick or injured bird getting to it will be a royal pain.
Having to open it in the rain or snow will allow a lot of wet to get in the coop too.

The 4x4's are much heavier than 2x4's. There will be a LOT of pressure on your siding if there are no vertical supports. Your siding will be a weak point and likely to break.

An inch or two of roof angle wont shed water or snow as it should. A 6" angle works much better.
We aren't trying to complicate the coop for you. We are trying to save you headaches.

There are reasons for wall studs. They transfer the load from the roof to the ground.

The video is well worth watching.

 

[jthornton]

And the roost needs to be at least 12" from the wall and 2' higher than the nest box.

JT

 

[PirateGirl]

If you are not planning on vertical supports, consider bracing at the corners with 45* supports. Here is a picture I found on the internet to show what I mean.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I agree with @jthornton.
The roosts need to be higher than the nests and at least 12" from the wall.
My big girls require 15" minimum from the wall. They are brahma so are large.

 

[aart]

and 2' higher than the nest box.

Nah.. just 12".