Helpful hints for building coops

[CapricornFarm]

PS. DH has proposed a vent in the pop door. We used to leave it open 24/7 to a hardened run but we won't have that constructed for a good while. Thoughts?

I think vents are best situated under the eaves, high up, to let warm, wet air to rise up and out.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Looking at the structure of my little, monitor roof coop and considering the repairs/alterations to put it back into use.

I don't think I can lower the nestboxes, because my DH over-engineers everything* and made the mount so solid that replacing it is impractical. But I think I might reduce to two boxes, or even just one, and add a low-level window with top hinged panel for additional ventilation since this property has less shade available than the previous situation. (Note: I measured and the monitor roof provides 4 square feet of ventilation for the 4'x4' coop even with the pop door closed). This proposed window would be below the roost but as far from it as possible -- diagonally opposite the pop door.

If I intend to use it as a broody facility in the future would two boxes be a problem? (And, incidentally, could two broodies be placed in the same facility in two separate, but side-by-side boxes?)

*Over-engineering is a family trait. My late Brother-in-Law was an engineer for the Atlanta airport and we always joked that you could land a helicopter on his deck. My own father thought of anything expected to last less than 50 years as a temporary make-do and expressed disgust at the idea of building anything that would just have to be re-done in a decade or two. Even the 14yo's Lego structures are reinforced so that they can be carried and moved.

Mine like to all cram in one box. I have four broody bantams in one box.

 

[jvls1942]

I like my nest boxes no less than 2 feet from the floor. When you get as old as I am you won't want to get down on your knees to see if there are eggs in the nest.
I have 10 nests in one row at the same level.
Once I went in to find all the nests empty except for one which had four hens in it.

 

[jvls1942]

2x4 mounting boards where the hinges will attach to.

close up of the "foot" where the edge of the floor will rest on.

section 1 of 2 floor panels in place hinged in the up position. the brace is temporary.

I will put concrete landing pads at the corners when I let the floor hinge down.

 

[aart]

I will put concrete landing pads at the corners when I let the floor hinge down.

I CRS.....what are you building now?

 

[aart]

Got bread made and coop shavings changed out yesterday.
Productive day for me....now I'm tired.
But last day of the 'cool wave', so I better get some mowing done today.

 

[jvls1942]

I decided to utilize the space under the roof and make a small green house.
just 12 feet wide and 3 feet deep and 7 feet tall
I finished the floor this morning, started at 6AM to beat the rain at 8AM. 9:20AM and no rain yet, but it is coming.

I installed the right hand section this morning. It also hinges up like the one at the left.
.

this is where the green house is going. under the awning roof I just built.
the front will be five removable panels and both floor flipped up for winter storage.
It will make plowing snow away from the building easier..
///////jiminwisc/////

 

[aart]

both floor flipped up for winter storage.

Excellent!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Going out to work on upgrades and repairs to existing coops. Have a great day!

 

[jvls1942]

I went out while it was still in the 60F;s..
9AM and it is 74F and climbing.
I got the first form set for the concrete pads.
hope to get at least that one poured before it starts to rain.
.......jiminwisc.....