Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

we got a few more inches of that beneficial snow.
with the cold , it won't be melting soon.
high of 13F today.

 

[Molpet]

we got a few more inches of that beneficial snow.
with the cold , it won't be melting soon.
high of 13F today.

We had flurries, high of 29f. Tomorrow single digits

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Hi, I have a few questions about my coop build for this year and wondered if y'all would mind helping me with them. I can post the link to the plan I'm using for reference. This will be for 8 chickens.

Spoiler: Coop plans

https://www.construct101.com/8x10-chicken-coop-plans/

First off, looking at it, this seems to need more ventilation. How would be best to add that to this design? Second, could I use OSB instead of plywood? Third, What are some of your favorite cost saving tips when building coops?

Thank you for starting this thread @CapricornFarm ! It's extremely helpful!

 

[aart]

I have a few questions about my coop build for this year and wondered if y'all would mind helping me with them.

You're better off starting a new thread to get more feedback,
this has turned into a chat thread with only a few still following.
The run is 8x10, but the coop itself looks to be 4x8.
Kind of a tight fit for 8 birds in the midwest.

How would be best to add that to this design?

Large roof overhangs with open soffits.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

You're better off starting a new thread to get more feedback,
this has turned into a chat thread with only a few still following.
The run is 8x10, but the coop itself looks to be 4x8.
Kind of a tight fit for 8 birds in the midwest.


Large roof overhangs with open soffits.

Thank you very much for the reply! I will go start a thread, and look into the modifications you suggested.

 

[Sally PB]

snow is beneficial. it puts a lot of moisture into the ground.

It also insulates the ground. And we haven't gotten enough this year! It keeps skirting around us. Forecast of 5-8 inches, and we get one!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Hi, I have a few questions about my coop build for this year and wondered if y'all would mind helping me with them. I can post the link to the plan I'm using for reference. This will be for 8 chickens.

Spoiler: Coop plans

https://www.construct101.com/8x10-chicken-coop-plans/

First off, looking at it, this seems to need more ventilation. How would be best to add that to this design? Second, could I use OSB instead of plywood? Third, What are some of your favorite cost saving tips when building coops?

Thank you for starting this thread @CapricornFarm ! It's extremely helpful!

Hello, how exciting to get busy on a coop! I recommend plywood over OSB. It is more durable. I also put vents in the peaks of coops as well as open soffit.
Cost saving ideas, use pallet wood or salvaged wood from other projects. Sometimes builders will let you use their wood from scrap piles, you may even get pieces of plywood you can use for nest boxes. Watch curbs on garbage day, you may get materials that way. Also check out The Restore for assorted items for building.

 

[jvls1942]

don't be scared away from this thread. there are enough of us to help. if you start a new thread, let us know here where it is.
Cappy is the master of recycling. her idea of using palllets is a good one. I would take that idea farther and sheathe the building with pallet boards. space your s tuds to match the lengths of the boards to eliminate waste.
I would also make the coop at least 8x8 ft. and tall enough for you to walk inside. If you can, pour a concrete slab and place concrete blocks on the perimeter. this helps to eliminate rodents and weasels from getting in. also protects the bottom of the wood framing of the walls from rotting.
idk where you are located. if you are where it snows a lot, make the entrance door to swing in.
having the sill on top of the concrete blocks is a good idea. it gives you plenty of clearance underneath.
if you have the skill, do not make a flat roof.
put the entrance door in the gable end.
have plenty of roof overhang to keep the water off of the siding.
sudpend the nest boxes off of the wall. also suspend the roost from the walls. makes cleanup so much easier.
if possible, have a light and a receptacle .
do not use heat lamps. they will burn the coop down. a milkhouse heater will last longer.

 

[CapricornFarm]

We have snow again. Daffodils are up and I am ready for spring!

 

[Sally PB]

TSC has chicks. And potted daffodils/jonquils/narcissus/whatever they are.

I feel like winter is really long this year.