Custom Coop Design and Construction

[pclark17]

Hello from Western Ky (Paducah area). We bought a pre-fab coop last summer and moved our crew of 3 into the new coop and run last October. We have since successfully integrated a GLW into our flock of 2 RIR's and a BR. Now that all four are full size, I can tell the coop and roosting situation may be getting a little too close for comfort. Being that we are now officially hooked into the chicken game, I want to challenge myself in building a custom coop for our girls that will provide them more space and added shelter from the elements prior to the weather changing too drastically this Fall/Winter. I will also be able to use the pre-fab coop for any new chicks or potential illnesses if need be which will be nice to have that option available.

I have drawn up a somewhat detailed sketch of what I am hoping to create, I will upload a picture of it over the weekend for anyone to see and make suggestions about. The plan is for a standard 4x8 coop raised 18" off the ground on treated 4x4 posts. Due to how my run is enclosed and where it is located, I have to build it sloped from front entrance to back (6' from ground in front to 5' from ground in back). My plan is to have my access door in the front along with a vintage window I found and the chicken pop door with ventilation openings on either side and ventilation holes on the back wall with nesting boxes on the right side.

I have scoured the galleries on BYC and the internet for pictures, ideas, building tips, etc...to come up with my design and to hopefully avoid any "first time builder" pitfalls. If anyone has any experience with this or helpful links, please share with me. I would love to see any pictures that are similar to the design I have in mind to make sure I am going to build something that our hens can be comfortable in. My biggest apprehension is the framing aspect of it as I am a novice wood worker at best. I love this site and if there is anyone with any helpful tips, suggestions, or step-by-step framing help on a job similar to the one I am about to embark on, your input would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

 

[cavemanrich]

Glad chicken math got you before the cold set in.
Go to this thread and spend some time viewing the pictures. You will get many IDEAS, There are over 16,000 postings, so skim thru them and just stop at the pictures that interest you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-your-chicken-coop-pictures-here.596294/
WISHING YOU BEST,,,, and ask anything you are not sure of.

 

[Pstock44]

Sounds similar to my coop. I used a shipping crate I got free from work. It 4x6 and raised about 18" too. Self feeder exits under and keeps food dry. The chickens love hanging out under it during the hottest part of the day. Good luck with your build and show us pics!

 

[ScottandSam]

Glad chicken math got you before the cold set in.
Go to this thread and spend some time viewing the pictures. You will get many IDEAS, There are over 16,000 postings, so skim thru them and just stop at the pictures that interest you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/post-your-chicken-coop-pictures-here.596294/
WISHING YOU BEST,,,, and ask anything you are not sure of.

What you need there is the ability to look at all the pictures in that post without scrolling threw 16000 post.
Cant seem to do that anymore.

Scott

BTW good luck on your design better to post it sooner than later as everyone can kick it around a bit more. Ya know help make it a functional space.

Scott

 

[aart]

I have drawn up a somewhat detailed sketch of what I am hoping to create, I will upload a picture of it over the weekend for anyone to see and make suggestions about.

 

[Alaskan]

I would think that with those hot summers in Kentucky. ..you would be very happy with a nice screen front on the coop... (predator proof hardware cloth of course )

 

[pclark17]

Here is the design I have come up with...thoughts?

 

[aart]

Nice sketch, tho not quite proportional, numbers are good.
Aesthetic details are lovely, structural details missing.
(sorry, old drafter here)
Scratching head over the 30 x 30 door, do you plan on walking thru that?
Probably not. 4' will be hard to reach without putting a hand down, or crawling, inside.

A larger and taller walkin coop will make everything easier, from cleaning to grabbing birds off the roost to examine. If you want more birds down the road a larger coop will allow you to split the coop for integration.

It's a great concept sketch, and again kudos on the good numbers - most important
I'd add large(at least a foot) roof overhangs all around, to protect additional top hinged windows all around for summer ventilation and all year light. I'd build roof with rafters and purlins under corrugated roof sheathing and leave eave areas open(but protected by 1/2" hardware cloth) for year round ventilation. I'd also hinge nest access on side rather than top, much easier to waterproof, add good overhangs on nest roof too.

Hope that helps and I wasn't too 'mean'.

 

[pclark17]

Not at all, thank you so much for the feedback.

The door will have to be that size and no I do not intend on being able to walk through it. I only need to be able to lean in and scrape out shavings when needed. If I need to get in, I will have to crawl or use one of my "mini-me's" to get in and do what may be needed.

I will be including an overhang (12"-18") on all four sides, I am just not that good drawing what I have in my head and couldn't get my sketch right trying to include the overhangs in the actual drawing.

Due to the size of my fully enclosed run, this is about as big of a coop as we can handle while still allowing plenty of space for the girls to move about throughout the day. You obviously know your stuff and yes, I will be including rafters and purlins to support the roof. I also plan to include the top hinged windows to cover the ventilation openings on the sides and rear of the coop for winter time warmth and summertime cool air.

I am still undecided on the nest box design, I know exactly what you mean about the waterproofing issues related to the current design. My thoughts are to either have a side access door or to build them on the inside of the coop up against the back wall and just have a top-hinged access on the back of the coop. I really appreciate the input and feedback, as a first time chicken keeper and novice builder, I am always open to the constructive criticism!

 

[Alaskan]

I second all of Aart's comments.

Only thing to add, restate.... is I would think that with your hot summers you need way more screen.