If you must have that design:
1. make the gable overhangs about 12" on each end. Gable vents would be very helpful.
2. close in the soffit on front and back with 1/2" hardware cloth before putting the fascia trim and wall sheathing in place.
3 Absolute minimal size IMO should be 4 x 8. That will maximize your floor space while taking advantage of the size of a sheet of plywood, and minimize the number of cuts.
4. Put 1/2" hdw cloth over window openings to allow you to open windows without letting predators in.
5. Swap out the double hung windows for awning style windows instead. This can be as simple as hanging the window from the window trim with hinges at the top of the window. Benefit: you can leave windows open even when it's raining or snowing.
6. Make a clean out door under the perches. I put a 2' x 4' door at the back of my coop under the perches. It saves a LOT of work when it's time to remove some of the DL.
7. Put the perch(es) on the gable end wall, so the birds have more room to jump down. Mount them at least 12" away from wall, and 18" below the lowest level of the ceiling. Perches must be above nest boxes.
8. Either raise the coop high enough that the birds can easily hang out under it during the heat of the day, or make it at ground level. IMO, I much prefer a walk in style coop. It appears that you have plenty of yard space. Save the frustration of having a coop that you can not easily enter, and make it a walk in style. Also, consider making it bigger than you need. You can use the extra space for storage, or to section off a broody or hospital area. If you build a cute little coop, that's all you're gonna get. If you build a SHED that you use as a coop, you will still have a shed if and when your flock size changes or you stop raising chickens, and you no longer need to use it as a coop.
1. make the gable overhangs about 12" on each end. Gable vents would be very helpful.
2. close in the soffit on front and back with 1/2" hardware cloth before putting the fascia trim and wall sheathing in place.
3 Absolute minimal size IMO should be 4 x 8. That will maximize your floor space while taking advantage of the size of a sheet of plywood, and minimize the number of cuts.
4. Put 1/2" hdw cloth over window openings to allow you to open windows without letting predators in.
5. Swap out the double hung windows for awning style windows instead. This can be as simple as hanging the window from the window trim with hinges at the top of the window. Benefit: you can leave windows open even when it's raining or snowing.
6. Make a clean out door under the perches. I put a 2' x 4' door at the back of my coop under the perches. It saves a LOT of work when it's time to remove some of the DL.
7. Put the perch(es) on the gable end wall, so the birds have more room to jump down. Mount them at least 12" away from wall, and 18" below the lowest level of the ceiling. Perches must be above nest boxes.
8. Either raise the coop high enough that the birds can easily hang out under it during the heat of the day, or make it at ground level. IMO, I much prefer a walk in style coop. It appears that you have plenty of yard space. Save the frustration of having a coop that you can not easily enter, and make it a walk in style. Also, consider making it bigger than you need. You can use the extra space for storage, or to section off a broody or hospital area. If you build a cute little coop, that's all you're gonna get. If you build a SHED that you use as a coop, you will still have a shed if and when your flock size changes or you stop raising chickens, and you no longer need to use it as a coop.
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