Finally Started the build (getting pic heavy)

[AussieAcres]

You build like my husband - you obviously take pride in your work.

Thank you...I will take that as a compliment!!

Yea, it is turning out to be a little bit of chickie Fort Knox, but I 'intend' on keeping this one around for a while. Potentially using it to build off of when we need a larger house.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

It absolutely was a compliment!

Can't wait to see the final product!

 

[AussieAcres]

Well, as per usual, I did not get as much time to work on the coop as I would have liked. Something about having to work to pay the bills (grumble, grumble). However, with the wifeys help we made a good amount of progress in a short couple days. Since I last posted I had finished the roof sheating, installed drip edge and tar paper. The wife shingled the roof and installed the ridge line. I cut and installed all the T1-11 paneling and we started our first coat of paint. Also I sealed all the venting inside with 1/2" hardware cloth. Unfortunately, I have not done enough building to warrant the purchase of a corded drill and Circle saw before this. So, there were a few random down times in between cutting the panels where I would have to let my batteries charge. When we end up adding on to this thing, before I even buy the supplies I will be buying corded tools! Here are a few pictures of the stages of current progress, Enjoy!

 

[AussieAcres]

Here is a shot of the feeder I made for the coop.

 

[chickengoober]

Awesome coop, the red siding is a very nice touch

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Love the painted T1-11! We were going to use T1-11 on our coop in progress, but with all the windows and vents I told DH it needs, he thought vinyl siding would be better. I was thinking vinyl cedar shakes.

How many chicks do you have? The coop my husband is building is 5' x 5' x 5' for 3 hens and a rooster. I am wondering if it is too big! I more concerned about when winter comes along - is it too much area for them to keep warm in?

 

[AussieAcres]

I have 16 chicks at the moment. Some will not be staying, so with this round we will be keeping 11 total. The coop has a 6'x8' footprint and is just about 7 foot inside. Winter was a concern for me as well, so the walls will be insulated with R 30 insulation. Would you be insulating at all? 5' cube is plenty of space for 4 chickens, but as long as they are decently cold hearty breeds, it is sealed good, not drafty, and possibly insulated you should have no problems. I have also toyed around with the idea of building a passive solar heater to use in the winter. If you are unfamiliar here is a link describing several. http://greenterrafirma.com/solar-air-heating.html

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

I have 16 chicks at the moment. Some will not be staying, so with this round we will be keeping 11 total. The coop has a 6'x8' footprint and is just about 7 foot inside. Winter was a concern for me as well, so the walls will be insulated with R 30 insulation. Would you be insulating at all? 5' cube is plenty of space for 4 chickens, but as long as they are decently cold hearty breeds, it is sealed good, not drafty, and possibly insulated you should have no problems. I have also toyed around with the idea of building a passive solar heater to use in the winter. If you are unfamiliar here is a link describing several. http://greenterrafirma.com/solar-air-heating.html

I thought it might be too much space for them to keep each other warm on cold winter nights. Yours is a bit bigger but you will have way more chickens in it. We were not planning on insulating. Do you think we should? And if so, should the roof be insulated as well? I was thinking of using a panel heater for extremely cold nights. My girls are Golden Sex Links and my roo is a lemon cuckoo orp, he's in my avatar.

 

[AussieAcres]

We were not planning on insulating. Do you think we should? And if so, should the roof be insulated as well? I was thinking of using a panel heater for extremely cold nights. My girls are Golden Sex Links and my roo is a lemon cuckoo orp, he's in my avatar.

To insulate or not is kind of hard to just say yes or no. Our coop while under a large cottonwood tree for shade does not have much in the way of a wind break. We are surrounded by flat fields. Wind can REALLY pick up out here and in the winter it can get blistering cold. I decided to insulate (with R30) for extra protection and heat retention since there it no natural cover from these winds. If the coop is smaller and located in a place where they will be well protected from winds, maybe no insulation is needed. I know people who have simply placed straw bales around the house to act as a break/insulation. You just need to determine how windy and cold it could get in the area you will have the coop. As well as if it will take direct sun in the Summer. If they will be seeing either of these situations unprotected naturally, I would suggest a little insulation. If they burn all their energy keeping warm, or stressed from heat, well that's energy that does not go to egg laying.

 

[AussieAcres]

Between Birthday parties, Walks in the woods with my wife, and 3 crazy dogs wanting to play we found a little time to work some on the coop this past weekend. We now have the interior totally insulated and lined with interior panels. The front side is trimmed out and windows installed. I started the wiring for the exhaust fans and lights.The windows I will be adding faux sashbars to make them looks quartered. Getting close, kind of exciting, but at the same time I just want to be done with this thing!! Haha

Front and rear soffits





Inside panels and insulation



Exhaust and cooling fans



Windows and trim