Design - Predators - Thoughts

[clarkbre]

Working on my coop and want some of your thoughts on design and rodent control.

The run will be separate and the coop design will be more like a small shed. The floor is framed in 2x4 with 3/4" CDX for the floor. The walls will be framed with 2x3's and sided with T1-11 that will extend down and attach to the bottom of the 2x4 floor framing. With that, do I need to add any 1/2" metal mesh behind the T1-11 or anything? The main door will shut tight with wood stops and the windows will be hinged and used as vents. I will be putting the 1/2" metal mesh behind the windows as screens to prevent rodents from getting in there. My plan is to also use an automated chicken door to keep them in once they roost.

Here are a few pics of the current progress. Trying to make it secure.

Basic design:

Floor framing:

Floor set on blocks with 3/4 plywood nailed down:

Framed wall. T1-11 will cover wall, plywood floor and pressure treated 2x4:

For reference, this was the coop and run at our old house.

 

[clarkbre]

What a WONDERFUL project for your kids to help with!!! They'll have a vested interest of caring for the chickens that will enrich their lives!

Thank you. We moved over the summer and the buyers of our home wrote the coop into the contract. The kiddos were too young to remember the first build so it's been very fun having them pound nails and asking for their opinions on design. They love it.

 

[aart]

Might want anti-dig aprons around the coop.....
.......to keep chickens from getting under the floor,
as well as other critters who might like to live there.
1/2" HC should be used if rodents are a possibility.
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

 

[clarkbre]

Here are a few update pics of the build. We prefabricated the walls by framing and siding them in the garage and then set them in place.
Framed side walls:

3 of the 4 walls set:

Walls set and coop painted Leisure Blue:

 

[aart]

Added the framing for the roof today.

Remove/leave these pieces out, for ventilation.
Nice roof overhangs!

 

[clarkbre]

Another update post. After work today, I was able to get the roof rafter vents screened, the roof sheethed and the trim boards installed. Overall, I'm happy Aart suggested taking those blocks out. I calculated it and the 8 openings give about 2 sq feet of ventilation. I still need to secure the screen to the underside of the roofing plywood.

Ready for roofing material and the cupola.

1/2" hardware cloth installed between the rafters. I used Teks 3/4" long screws to secure it.

My little helper today. He pretended to be a chicken and was having fun.

 

[clarkbre]

Remove/leave these pieces out, for ventilation.
Nice roof overhangs!

View attachment 2626200

You convinced me to remove them. Each rafter space opening will have 1/2" hardware cloth. Each side will have (4) 22x2.5" vents and the center of the roof will have a vented cupola to help move air up. The windows will also tilt out from the bottom and provide 17"×48" venting on each side of the coop during warmer weather.

 

[clarkbre]

It's been a couple weeks since I updated the thread. Our 8 chicks are growing like crazy and the coop is coming along nicely. I was able to get the trim painted, allowing me to hang the trim, windows and door.

 

[clarkbre]

Finished the coop today. Over the last couple weeks, got the hardware installed, cupola finished and got the roof installed. The girls are heading outside this afternoon to their new digs.

 

[clarkbre]

The girls are in their new home!