First time building a Chicken Coop need comments

[SilkieSilkie]

It's my first time building a Chicken Coop and I would like some suggestions. I would like the coop to house maybe a dozen chicken in the near future. As for now it will be housing four one and a half week old Silkie baby chicks when they are big enough to go into the Chicken Coop.

Again this is my first Chicken Coop, still have alot to learn. It's also my first time raising chickens as well. I will accept any comments/suggestions that will help my construction of the coop.

I started making my first Chicken Coop almost two and half weeks ago and it looks like picture number two. As of today, with some free time I decided to extend the Chicken Coop longer for future room for the chickens when they grow older. I have extended it to 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. I need help on a roof finishing ideas. The last picture if of what I'm thinking about doing, but I'm not 100% sure yet. So feel free to let me know.

If this new addition of the 8'x4' feet expansion is too small still, I can double it by making it longer with two more 8'x4' making it 16' Long and 4' Feet.

Thanks

The week and half old Silkie Chicks



My first attempt at a Chicken Coop.



My new add-on extension for the Chicken Coop added 8'x4' space.



Another side picture with the added 8'x4' space.



Placed on a temporary 8'x4' Roof Board ontop. (not screw in yet)



My current idea of finishing it off after putting the 8'x4' Roof Board ontop. (Rough Draft)




My thought is, by sealed boarding the end up and cutting the roof in half, I will be able to make two different opening top doors for accessing the inside of the Chicken Coop area when I need to go inside.

 

[Percheron chick]

How big is the coop part (the blue part)? Do you have to worry about winter weather or can they be out in the run year round? I would want some slope so any water will run off the roofs. Are you adding hardware cloth to the latice? I would think the silkies could squeeze though the openings until they are about 3 months old.

 

[SilkieSilkie]

How big is the coop part (the blue part)? Do you have to worry about winter weather or can they be out in the run year round? I would want some slope so any water will run off the roofs. Are you adding hardware cloth to the latice? I would think the silkies could squeeze though the openings until they are about 3 months old.

The coop is 2'x4' big. The coop could use an expansion as well, I started with baby chicks so I didn't really plan on a big coop.

As far as Rain, It barely rain, I'm in California. Been praying for Rain but it doesn't rain. We're on a major drought where we can water our lawn twice per week on certain days.

I didn't plan on using anything else more to cover up the latice. As of right now, the one and half week old Silkie are able to get out. But they aren't going in there until maybe 4 months plus from now.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

I am not sure I understand your intentions but you may want to reconsider the walk in and add a brace (pressure treated 2 x 4) to the bottom (ground) at the end where you have the words "sealed board", else it may lean out of square and look like the state of TN.

Also, since you chose OSB plywood, and though it may say exterior grade.....buy some good oil base paint and give it two coats to water proof it. Paint one coat and let it dry then go back with a second coat. I don't care what people say, that stuff (OSB) will degrade, warp, buckle start to break apart when moisture hits it and look like a worn out belt. Paint the edges and bottom side too as wood is a sponge to moisture.

OSB ply wood will also naturally sag after a while if not supported every 2 feet.


Other than that, Kewl!

 

[SilkieSilkie]

Add a cross brace board (pressure treated 2 x 4) to the bottom (ground) at the end where you have the words "sealed board", then make some X-bracing to sturdy that end..It will look like an X at the end of the box. X bracing is strong and will eliminate your sides from wobbling, else it may lean out of square and look like the state of TN.

Lastly, since you chose OSB plywood, and though it may say exterior grade.....buy some good oil base paint and give it two coats to water proof it. Paint one coat and let it dry then go back with a second coat. I don't care what people say, that stuff will degrade, warp, buckle start to break apart when moisture hits it and look like a worn out belt. Paint the edges and bottom side too as wood is a sponge to moisture.

OSB ply wood will also naturally sag after a while if not supported every 2 feet.

Other than that, Kewl!

I will brace it better tomorrow morning. Didn't have much time this evening, had 1 hour at it. Ran out of wood as well. Enough time to reposition my Coop then lay the two Latice on and brace the top with three four feet long 1''x1'' top brace.

Paint wise, That will be done also when it's all said and done. I still have have my blue oil base paint. Might go with a different roof/side color.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[SilkieSilkie]

Update on the Chicken Coop and Run. Installed 4 heavy duty door hinges on the opening Roof. Haven't had time to paint it yet. I open it by placing a steel pipe that I use to latch it open. It has two settings. I made sure it's safe by drilling a half way hole into the center support bar where the steel pipe will sit in place at a fix angle. It can either open a little bit, or open all the way.

It really doesn't rain here much. I'm from California in a small town in the center of California. The last time I remembered it rained was back in February of this past year and it only rained for two days.

As time goes, I will be learning more and having add-on that will be added to the Chicken Coop and Run.

The 4 Door Hinges



First Position Opened



Second Position Fully Opened

 

[foothillsco]

Congrats. I think you got your first one under your belt. I think you already know this but your chickens need to be in the house section during the night because racoons would reach through the trellis and kill them for fun.

 

[BobDBirdDog]

And in the next episode of the Rich and Famous Silkie's, a second story and external hydraulic elevator lift on the coop end so the birdies will have a luxurious penthouse roost to watch cable TV in High Def! LOL

Looking good!

 

[SilkieSilkie]

Thanks for the comments. Very Funny

The Chicken Coop and Run won't be use at all anytime soon. My Chicks are still very small, a little over 2 weeks old.