Help me make over my ugly coop.

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

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This coop is actually double walled, pretty thick, so it's pretty heavy. My hubby has informed me that raising it on blocks is the best we can do. Also detatching a wall is pretty much not an option.

I don't really want to let my hens have access to under the coop, because if they decide to lay eggs there, I have to crawl under there.

I plan on pitching/slanting the roof some how. Currently the roof is a sheet of plywood that we slide on and off to access inside. I will be replacing it with roofing decking, felt, and shingles, or some other type of roof.

Yes you can come help!! I even have a guest room for you!

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

More pics... please give your input as you see fit. Just please don't tell me to burn it.

Here is the interior lengthwise

Here is the wall with the door opening.

Legthwise view from other direction

The inside dimensions are 37 3/4" x 66" x 25 3/4 ".

 

[onthespot]

If it was me, I'd pitch the roof, and fill the gap in the front, under the higher part of the roof with hardware cloth and that would really ventilate the coop quite a bit. Might even raise the back an inch and allow air to cross flow that way. Not all the way across, but cut pieces of 2x4 or 2x2 to set the back part of the roof up on, and close that gap with bits of hardware cloth too. Ventilation is your friend. Also, be aware of where the sun shines the most and avoid setting your coop there. If you have a northern place by your house you could take advantage of the shadow of your home, or on the north side of a hedge, or someplace a tree throws shade during the hottest part of the day. Setting up near a hose is handy too. Maybe you could get some old ralroad ties to put it up on, to block them from getting under it to lay eggs, and so you can have a pet proof place to put rodent bait, should the time come for it, (and it will).

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

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Thanks for that advice. This coop sits next to a shed. The shed is to the west, and will be blocking the evening setting sun. There is a tree that grows over the shed that provides shade in the early to late afternoon.

I thought of rotating the coop, so the long sides face North and South, with the coop opening facing south. I would have the roof slanting/pitching towards the back, so the slant would be facing north.

With the opening and the taller side facing south, I can try to add ventilation windows that will also help with warmth in the winter, right?

I love the rail road tie idea. Thanks.

 

[Evelle]

i would keep in mind cleaning how easy will it to be to clean out the coop.. my chickens are quite spoiled. i put vinal flooring down and a drain so i can scrub and sweegie the yuck down the drain.
the easyer it is to clean the more happyer youll be and the healthyer the chickens will be

its been a work in progress and it hasnt been cheep. but we decided in the long run it would be

i liked this idea and you can always make it a little smaller

the roof was the most expencive thing in the whole coop.
hope you find a good one you like

 

[onthespot]

Your coop placement sounds good. Also rotating it for least sun exposed surface during the summer, and you could rotate it the other way in winter, if you were so inclined. Depends how permanent you make it. I have had an idea but never used it, of making the southern side hinged, either fully, or with large, nearly full height individual panels that were hinged at the top. If you cut big doors in the south side, hinged them at the top, then in the summer, you could lift them up and prop them on legs or what have you. (hardware cloth all on that side, on the inside of the coop) because it would COMPLETELY VENT the entire coop, but even more important, it would provide a very nice shade over the ground on the sunniest side of the coop, preventing it from reflecting heat into or onto the coop . Like a pop out awning almost, that doubles as a strong wall at night, or during the cold of winter. Doesn't matter if it is drafty around the cutout. Extra ventilation. Instead of a hinge, you could screw a strip of rubber, or old fire hose, or something simmilar, along the top of the door/awning, and to the wall of the coop above it. Nearly free hinge. As you can tell, I have done a lot more thinking than doing on this project, otherwise, i'd be having some pics to post, but I think the door/awning idea will give you the greatest environmental control for the least money and effort.

Edit. X2 on the vinyl flooring!!! I even use it in my cardboard brooder boxes. Vinyl flooring rocks! And your coop is small you can probably get a scrap for very cheap.

 

[geekgurl]

I'm just thinkin out loud, but you could get yourself a piece of wood that's 2 inch x 8 inches x 10 foot. Using your dimensions you gave, cut a 66" piece and stand that along of the front edge of that coop. Then with the leftover you'll cut that piece on the diagonal. Make a cut from the upper left to the lower right of the board. Screw these to the ends of the 66" inch board you cut and set on top of the coop and secure it to the coop. That will give you the pitch for the roof. The 2 rafters you cut will be a bit long. You can cut them off on the short end or just let them hang over the back. You could put plywood on top of that with a hinge so you could open it. You could cut holes in the 66" piece for ventilation. Maybe one long 4"x3' window with hardware cloth inside.

I'm itching to build something. It's been too hot in Dallas to be outside unless you're floating in the pool. Too bad you're in Tulsa.

 

[Time-Out]

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Shall we pop over to help her? I might need some cash for the flight

I'm dieing to build something too. I've tried mentioning it to OH, but he keeps saying that we don't have the space. I keep replying "I'll build it smaller than that!" *showing picture of beautiful BYC coop* Just mention DIY and he gets all in a tizzle. He's daft; it's fun!

I'd still try to raise it, if I were you. It'd keep the damp out and prevent it from rotting from underneath. How about finding a cheap, sturdy coffee table? You could net the underside off if you don't want them getting under there. I'd have thought it'd be a nice shady area for them and it's not that far to reach, is it? Just build it higher

It's great that the walls are so thick! Extra insulation for the winter. That quite a decent coop you've found. I wish I could find something similar here. I'd throw myself a coop-party!

 

[KDK1]

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Your seabrights are gorgeous!!!

 

[spotstealer]

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Gee. Thanks for the winter pictures. I'm still having nightmares from last winter...