Helpful hints for building coops

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aart said:
Yep, it can be done, but....
Construction of door needs to be taken into consideration...why I asked to see other side.
this is not a solid residential entry door and it's gonna need some bolstering.

...and the 2 rows of nails could be a problem.
View attachment 1794223
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Ok pictures first from my phone, then commentary from my computer

Outside of coopdoor 20190529_200650.jpg

Inside of the coop door 20190529_200715.jpg

Outside of the run door
20190529_200642.jpg

Inside of the run door
20190529_200825.jpg
 

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SO - I figure that if I retrofit these for Dutch doors, I won't be looking to split it precisely at the middle, but more where it makes sense for the door.

There's that crossbar on the inside of each door. So - what I'd plan to do is for the cut to be just above that crossbar, and I'd hammer in a new crossbar right above where I was going to put the cut, and cut between them. I'd also put in a new hinge, so that each half of the door had two hinges, and a new latch, so each half would have one latch.

See anything wrong with that plan?

This won't be "soon" - first priority is getting the rest of the apron staplegunned down, and sod stapled down. Then we got a new big gazebo that's going to go just west of the run, and we need to put the waterproofing/UV proofing on the cover, that's going to make spending time outside with the girls much nicer for us sun-sensitive types. Then there's figuring out how to hang a stick swing for the girls in their run, and put a roost in there somewhere, and getting the CORRECT pvc pieces to make a no-waste feeder and a matching waterer for them, and curtains for the nesting boxes.... honestly, it's not the numbers of the chickens that keep going up, it's the numbers of things I need to do.
 
CapricornFarm said:
I like the way you think, Gary!
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Hi Gary, my husband and I have added more chickens to our flock and now have to add on to the coop. (I thought it was appropriate to ask this question as a reply to this step because it's true, so true!) I am planning on converting the half of the coop which is now dedicated to egg laying to another set of roosting bars and adding a separate egg-laying box. do you have a minimum suggested height for laying area? would two feet high do?
 
Hello everyone! I recently completed reading all 369 pages! You have already provided a lot of great advice to help with my current coop rebuild. I feel like I know you all so well!
I have a question that needs guidance. We are soon replacing the roof on the coop. The building is 8L x 4W x 6.5H with a single pitched roof. The new roof will be steel sitting on a 2x4 frame. My plan was to use the new height from the frame to run a vent along the entire ceiling. I was going to build hinged adjustable shutters to change ventilation with the weather. I'm in Wisconsin, so winter can be very long and cold.
I am raising chickens with my mom, and she was picturing a different scenario for ventilation. The new roof frame would stay open on the interior (but still have hardware cloth) and we would enclose the soffit with ventilated vinyl panels on the exterior. It's basically just a bunch of holes drilled in the panel. That would match really well as the siding will soon be vinyl as well. In my mind I really like the idea.
My main question is about the quality of ventilation with the soffit panels. We have 4 chickens and may get 1 more, but that will be it. Will that be enough ventilation when everything else gets closed for really cold periods in winter?
 
jenswinebar said:
Hi Gary, my husband and I have added more chickens to our flock and now have to add on to the coop. (I thought it was appropriate to ask this question as a reply to this step because it's true, so true!) I am planning on converting the half of the coop which is now dedicated to egg laying to another set of roosting bars and adding a separate egg-laying box. do you have a minimum suggested height for laying area? would two feet high do?
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They like to be able to roost high. I would suggest 4 feet at least.
 
Bio cryo guy said:
Hello everyone! I recently completed reading all 369 pages! You have already provided a lot of great advice to help with my current coop rebuild. I feel like I know you all so well!
I have a question that needs guidance. We are soon replacing the roof on the coop. The building is 8L x 4W x 6.5H with a single pitched roof. The new roof will be steel sitting on a 2x4 frame. My plan was to use the new height from the frame to run a vent along the entire ceiling. I was going to build hinged adjustable shutters to change ventilation with the weather. I'm in Wisconsin, so winter can be very long and cold.
I am raising chickens with my mom, and she was picturing a different scenario for ventilation. The new roof frame would stay open on the interior (but still have hardware cloth) and we would enclose the soffit with ventilated vinyl panels on the exterior. It's basically just a bunch of holes drilled in the panel. That would match really well as the siding will soon be vinyl as well. In my mind I really like the idea.
My main question is about the quality of ventilation with the soffit panels. We have 4 chickens and may get 1 more, but that will be it. Will that be enough ventilation when everything else gets closed for really cold periods in winter?
Click to expand...
Probably not. You can install actual building vents available at home improvement stores. Some folks leave the soffits open and just cover it with hardware cloth.
 
jenswinebar said:
do you have a minimum suggested height for laying area?
Click to expand...
Here some tips on heights in the coop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/


Bio cryo guy said:
Hello everyone! I recently completed reading all 369 pages! You have already provided a lot of great advice to help with my current coop rebuild. I feel like I know you all so well!
I have a question that needs guidance.
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC! @Bio cryo guy
...how you treat the soffit ventilation can depend on size and height of coop, site location, etc, etc.
It would be best if you start a new thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/create-thread
With pics of your coop for more input.
 

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