how to build on to this coop?

[nuthatched]

im also stumped on were to start.

Well, what do you want out of a coop? Do you want a walk in? A reach in? One that the chickens can go under the coop part? I'd make a coop that about 3 feet tall but put it on posts so chickens can go under, maybe 20inches off the ground.with a door for eggs and cleaning. The chicken tractors or small coop section will help, just adjust to the size you need.:]

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

Well, what do you want out of a coop? Do you want a walk in? A reach in? One that the chickens can go under the coop part? I'd make a coop that about 3 feet tall but put it on posts so chickens can go under, maybe 20inches off the ground.with a door for eggs and cleaning. The chicken tractors or small coop section will help, just adjust to the size you need.:]

yes maybe one they can go under and i think a reach in coop will be good

 

[saysfaa]

You might take some inspiration from this. Its actually bigger than your target size.

Basically, set four posts in the ground, attach walls with a gap at the top for ventilation, roof it. The biggest problem is the 6' max height (peak of roof, I assume?) - that means you can't build a walk in, which (honestly) sucks. But an 8x8 structure is 64 sq ft of footprint, and involves almost no cutting, since you can buy lumber in 8' lengths. Plywood/hardieboard too. Or even Polycarbonate panels.

What you do want is either a 10' roof panel, or do some cutting so you have an overhang - say 8' wide, 6' deep, and use a shed style single slope roof, rather than what I did. That will give maximum height at the front, for your convenience when you have to work in there. Put the back (low) wall facing into the direction of your prevailing winter winds.

This.

Except, I would make it walk in (duck in?). If you can't go up, go down. Six feet is almost high enough, so you wouldn't need to go down much. Especially since you make the low end of the roof at least a little lower than standing height - put the roosts there, maybe.

Drainage would need to be considered - easier if you have a sloped site.

 

[suburbanfarmermi]

like everyone else I have trouble imagining a good way to add on to your existing setup.

I live on a 1/4 acre lot in the suburban jungle. We are only allowed 6 hen’s and a 8ft tall coop. Think the highest point on ours is around 7ft.
Check out the free plans at simple suburban living (click here) . To keep the cost down you could try just building the hen house and attached your existing run….. You made need to make the legs a foot or so shorter to stay under your 6ft rule. Here is a video tour of my build if you are looking for ideas.

Good luck on whatever direction you go

 

[3KillerBs]

i also need it to be very simple.

Do you have any friends or family members with any handyman skills and the tools to go with them?

My Little Monitor Coop, which is specifically designed to meet all the recommended minimums for 4 birds, might be beyond you since the monitor framing is, while not especially *difficult* isn't a "first project" level of easy.

However, my Brooder Coop might be just the sort of thing you could manage. It's built very simply -- a box made from 2x2's with a simple, metal roof. If we'd designed and built it ourselves we'd have made one side a foot or so higher than the other so that the roof would be sloped.

I'd have also made a good roof overhang so that I didn't have to cobble together those redneck awnings over the vents.

Since you live in a place with aesthetic requirements, you would want to use some kind of decent siding instead of the tarp.

Since it sits on the ground, it's semi-walk-in -- but that comes with a warning.

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

Do you have any friends or family members with any handyman skills and the tools to go with them?

no i dont

 

[3KillerBs]

no i dont

So definitely the simplest possible box shape.

It's a shame that you've got that height restriction because a shed conversion would be just what you need.

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

So definitely the simplest possible box shape.

It's a shame that you've got that height restriction because a shed conversion would be just what you need.

i mean we have the basic tools like a drill, staple gun, etc.

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

we could try build something from scratch.

 

[3KillerBs]

we could try build something from scratch.

Go for it!

The chickens will not care if it's a little rough.