First time building a coop - Need advice on what style!

[candicesj]

Note: Sorry, the pics are big. And for people who just look at pics and don't read what I wrote, I did not build any of what is shown!



After some thought, I have decided to build a coop! I am looking to have 2-4 chickens. I'd love for it to be able to fit 4 chickens, but would be fine with a decent design that has space only for 2. I have never built anything but I know how to follow directions and I have access to tools. I'd like something that I might be able to re-sell or move because I will be building it with new materials. I don't have any scraps or know where to get them around here, really.

I have been considering a couple different designs and really need some advice before I make a decision and start planning and building. My budget is 200$ and that would need to include everything (the lumber, screws, hinges, hardware wire, paint or varnish, whatever else). I live in Quebec, Canada, so it would need to be pretty weather-proof because it gets hot, gets cold, gets rainy, gets snowy, etc.

Option 1: Buying the plans for the Catawba A-frame coop (below) and building that. At least I'd be sure it was something pretty and functional in the end, even though I don't like how small the top for the coop is. I feel the chickens would be cooped up in there. It seems like it'd be a better coop for bantams and I want standard size chickens.

Option 2: An A-frame coop of this style below where the coop part is not above the run but beside it. If I go with this, I was thinking of having the coop part floor be 4 feet by 4 feet and the run extending 8 feet out of the coop, making the run 8 feet by 4 feet.

Option 3: A rectangular coop. I was thinking again a floor of 4 feet by 4 feet. Sides of the coop 3 feet and 4 feet tall (to make a slanted roof) and the run going out rectangularly about 8 feet long with some sort of roof that would provide shade and also help for rain.

These are my ideas for a 4 chicken coop, but I'd be glad to find a decent idea for something smaller. And general plans on how to make something with the coop elevated off the ground so the chickens can go underneath and I can have better access for cleaning. Can you tell I am pretty unsure about how to proceed?

Help please, anyone!

Thanks in advance, and *I love BYC!*

 

[midget_farms]

I think you are on the right track - but your budget is a little low. I build my 4x6 coop & it ran about $500 US. You should keep an eye on craigslist or other classifieds & see if you can come up with some recycled wood or other things to keep the cost down.

 

[adeechickluv]

I had/have about the same problem as you. We decided to go for a coop on top of the run, with a little ladder from the coop going to the run. We also have a slanted roof that works well because we have so much rain. I agree your budget IS a little low. Mine is 4x6 and we are a little over 300$, and still not done with the process. Craiglist IS a good spot to look for free/cheap materials.
Good luck!
Adrienne

 

[candicesj]

Thanks for the comments... I think you might be right about my budget. Since this really is my budget, I should maybe look to build something smaller. The Catawba website says the materials should be between 175$ - 225$, so it could be an option for me.

I will check if people use Craiglist here... Maybe the Anglophones do more than the Francophones. The main classified website for us doesn't seem to have very much materials...

 

[G2Shooter]

I built this one and have about $400 in it. If you could find some used material you could save some $$$. I bought most of the wood and all of the hardware. I found shingles for the roof and the plexiglass for the windows. I also got the insulation board for free.

 

[write2caroline]

I built the catawabe's I have two and planning two more. I never followed building plans ever to build anything and at the time, my husband refused to assist me in any way shape or form. I got out the tools, followed the directions and it worked out great! I am very happy with this design and I have 5 chickens but they go into a run during the day and only sleep in it at night and lay eggs as they need to. I paid $211 in April 09 and $213 in July of 09 for each one including hardware and I think the plans were $13.00?

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What I would do differently would be to

A) Follow the cut plan as it is done on the paper - duh! It was listed in an order to maximize wood use. No one ever explained that part!
B) paint all the wood once I made the cuts and prior to assembling it.
c) I would also have two drills - one with a drill bit and the other with the screw bit ready to go and plug ins not battery because I got frustrated the batteries kept dying on me after 4 drills or screws.

The treated wood did warp and bend. I was not happy with that - I talked to the guy at lowes and he said if I bring in the sides that warped he will exchange them for new treated pieces.

For me who had never built anything, I was quite proud of my little projects
Caroline

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Take a look at www.thegardencoop.com and see if the Garden Ark is something you might be interested in. It would be cheaper than a full size coop but I'm not sure how close you would be to $200.

Good luck. I'm sure whatever you build will be nice for your girls.

 

[candicesj]

G2shooter: beautiful coop you made there!

write2caroline: You have convinced me. I just ordered the plans for the Catawba. I had pretty much convinced myself after thinking of it all day, but hadn't placed the order. I guess I wasn't 100% sure! But it really convinced me that you had a good time being able to build it. Over all the other options, it seems the safest. I'd probably be able to build *something* for less money, but it would not be something I could sell after I'm done because it would probably not be as well designed and not pretty either. And I also factored in the fact that it's not really legal to have chickens and people overall seem so-so about the idea, so having something so nice-looking will help encourage people that it's not all bad. It will make the idea that much more attractive so I can gain a bit of support!

mikecnorthwest: I like those. Thanks for the idea! Just got the Catawba plans though so I will build that. I appreciate the idea though!!