Helpful hints for building coops

[CapricornFarm]

The roof slopes slightly, one foot over 8 feet. We should not get much snow here.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I wish I had your energy to do stuff, Capricorn Farm.

I am 60, so my most energetic days are long past. Luckily, my husband is back from vacation, so now i have some help. I pace myself and sleep in during the morning. Take lots of short breaks during the day and eat regular meals. Right now i am on antibiotics for my double sinus infection and that makes me tired.
But i try to work on my projects every single day. So even a little progress adds up. Thanks for noticing!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Slanted as in rise/run or A-Frame? I'm planning a walk-in A-frame to build for the harsh New England winter hoping the snow will just slide off so ideas are appreciated.

How many chickens are you wanting to keep? That will help determine the size of your coops foot print.

 

[Namrag]

How many chickens are you wanting to keep? That will help determine the size of your coops foot print.

2-4 Speckled Sussex hens, then in the Spring we'll add a flock (10+/-) of guinea fowl. We have a nice 600 sq.ft area for the winter run or when they're not free ranging, which we can increase 3X if needed, but I believe a healthy flock needs plenty of space! We also get anywhere from 2 - 8 ft of snow so the A Frame is enticing.

 

[aart]

We also get anywhere from 2 - 8 ft of snow so the A Frame is enticing

An A-frame might seem good for shedding snow, but the snow will pile up the sides and they are pretty impractical for a chicken coop unless they are huge. That sharp peak is tight space for roosting and ventilation.

 

[CapricornFarm]

2-4 Speckled Sussex hens, then in the Spring we'll add a flock (10+/-) of guinea fowl. We have a nice 600 sq.ft area for the winter run or when they're not free ranging, which we can increase 3X if needed, but I believe a healthy flock needs plenty of space! We also get anywhere from 2 - 8 ft of snow so the A Frame is enticing.

I seem to remember 4 square feet per bird in the coop. So allowing for a bit of flock growth, you could build 8x8. Suppose you built the bottom in a traditional way with vertical walls, then added a steep roof on top?

 

[aart]

Suppose you built the bottom in a traditional way with vertical walls, then added a steep roof on top?

Good idea, with good roof overhangs.

 

[Namrag]

Snow pile up is a concern especially since we do not need any extra shoveling. Hubby is talking about a 3 story "condo" Dirt basement for winter scratching and such, first floor guineas, second floor nesting boxes, and third floor roosts, all enclosed in a 1 foot base for deep litter. Of course that can be accomplished with a traditional rectangular base and an overhung roof. Suggestions on ventilation? Our winds are generally from the south, south west unless we get a nor'easter. This is the basic idea he's going off with a front to the covered enclosure and windows.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I built a two story coop once, concrete base 4x8. Bottom story was divided in two for different breeds. The top story was for guineas since they are partial to heights when roosting. Each section had its own run and nest boxes.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would put vents on the east and west sides, sited high on the walls.