coop questions

[CrazyChickLady7]

I made a deal with my parents, if I pay for the materials for my coop, then they will help me build it. I am fully aware that this will cost several hundred$$, and i can't wait to get started. I am looking to build a coop to fit 10 or less birds in. My coop will be 6x7 (42 ft2) and the run is a little harder to explain but I did the math and it will be 102 ft2. I am 15 and I am paying for everything, so i was wondering how I could go about this to insure the comfort of my birds while not spending extreme amounts of money. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[aart]

Probably better to go with something like 6x8...a little extra room and the standard sized building materials you'll have less waste of materials.

I'd strongly advise to come up with full plans before starting to build or buy anything, better to make mistakes on paper than with expensive building materials...haste makes waste. Spending time planning well makes the whole thing more enjoyable int he long run.

Do y'all have any building experience?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

To save money and make things simple, use different measurements - for example, an 8x8 coop takes advantage of the fact that sheets of plywood are 4x8 so you have fewer cuts to make and have lest "waste" in scrap pieces that are cut off. Have you checked your local CL and buy-sell-trade pages on FB for scrap wood, pallets, etc? If there are none listed as being available, post an "ISO" ad and see what people have laying about that they want hauled off - this is a great way to save on your materiel costs. Do you have anything around your property that you could repurpose? Have you done any looking about on the 'coops' section here on BYC to get ideas of designs that look like something you would want?

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Probably better to go with something like 6x8...a little extra room and the standard sized building materials you'll have less waste of materials.

I'd strongly advise to come up with full plans before starting to build or buy anything, better to make mistakes on paper than with expensive building materials...haste makes waste. Spending time planning well makes the whole thing more enjoyable int he long run.

Do y'all have any building experience?

That does make sense to make it bigger. And then there is always chicken math

My dad has build several coops for us already. I currently have chickens and ducks, but I want to put my jubilees and polish in a separate coop for breeding purposes.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

To save money and make things simple, use different measurements - for example, an 8x8 coop takes advantage of the fact that sheets of plywood are 4x8 so you have fewer cuts to make and have lest "waste" in scrap pieces that are cut off.   Have you checked your local CL and buy-sell-trade pages on FB for scrap wood, pallets, etc?  If there are none listed as being available, post an "ISO" ad and see what people have laying about that they want hauled off - this is a great way to save on your materiel costs.    Do you have anything around your property that you could repurpose?  Have you done any looking about on the 'coops' section here on BYC to get ideas of designs that look like something you would want?

I already have the design done for my coop. Its simple, but that ok. And we are currently getting the supplies off the property for a coop that we are currently building, but I guess I will be able to use that left over material. I am also planning on using vinyl flooring for an easy clean that I can also hose out and let air dry while they free range.

 

[aart]

Quote: I wouldn't recommend 'hosing out' anything...it would end up getting under the vinyl and causing rot and mold.
Just keep good dry shavings on it and change all the shavings out once or twice a year.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

I wouldn't recommend 'hosing out' anything...it would end up getting under the vinyl and causing rot and mold.
Just keep good dry shavings on it and change all the shavings out once or twice a year.

Oh ok. I was planning on cleaning it out at least once a month, except for in the cold months.

 

[aart]

Quote: Well, depends on alot of things.
I have a poop boards under roosts that get cleaned every other day, then I don't have to change out the floor shavings but once/twice a year.

 

[CrazyChickLady7]

Yes. I was planning on doing poop boards. I have been reading these forums for month's.