I don’t know how to build things but I’ll try anyway

[ziggywiggy1]

I’m located in the south, so humid and warm most of the time. We almost never get snow, but lots of rain. I think the plan right now is that the next time I’m off I will have a ground leveling day and that’s all I will focus on is leveling the ground because I really don‘t want to concrete posts in the ground. I didn’t want to make this something that can’t be moved later if needed so leveling the ground it is.

I am relieved that buying 2x4s wasn’t a mistake, I was just worried that I was over doing it but I’m glad it should be a sturdier structure.

 

[aart]

I’m located in the south

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[NatJ]

Luckily the chicks don’t get here til the end of February and won’t be outside until, a couple months after that so I can take my time.

I would recommend brooding the chicks IN the coop if possible. So I would at least try to have the coop done by the time the chicks arrive.

If you try to keep chicks inside your house until they are "a couple months" old, both you and the chicks will probably be quite unhappy. You will not like them being noisy, stinky, and spreading dust everywhere. They will not like the small space they have to live in (because I've never yet seen an in-house brooder that has enough space for two-month old chicks. I'm not saying it's impossible, just saying it never seems to happen.)

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m located in the south, so humid and warm most of the time. We almost never get snow, but lots of rain. I think the plan right now is that the next time I’m off I will have a ground leveling day and that’s all I will focus on is leveling the ground because I really don‘t want to concrete posts in the ground. I didn’t want to make this something that can’t be moved later if needed so leveling the ground it is.

I am relieved that buying 2x4s wasn’t a mistake, I was just worried that I was over doing it but I’m glad it should be a sturdier structure.

In the US south definitely consider an Open Air style coop. Heat is MUCH more of a problem than cold when it comes to chickens. They're wearing built-in down parkas and can't take them off.

If you put your structure on skids the way you commonly see sheds built you can do the leveling with concrete blocks instead of having to level the ground itself.

Also, consider the fact that your coop may, depending on just where exactly you are, experience tropical storms of varying intensity. We used hurricane ties on everything. The roofing *may* peel (@U_Stormcrow knows a lot about properly installing metal roofing), but the roof itself should stay put.

 

[mowin]

How much of a slope? Any pics to show us the slope? You might be ok with blocks on the lower side. Here's a example of using blocks instead of posts.

 

[3KillerBs]

Note: the key thing with blocks is to use SOLID blocks, not hollow ones.

And if you have to use hollow blocks, install them with the hollows running up and down. An incompetent shed mover did it the wrong way under our shed and it's now leaning because the blocks crushed under the weight from being laid the wrong direction.

(We're having it moved again because we changed how we're using that area of the property so we haven't jacked it up and replaced the broken blocks yet).

 

[Chicks in VA]

Thirdly-nailing things sucks, I already went out and bought screws.

nails are also less sturdy than screws, screws will allow a stronger coop then nails could

 

[mowin]

Note: the key thing with blocks is to use SOLID blocks, not hollow ones.

And if you have to use hollow blocks, install them with the hollows running up and down. An incompetent shed mover did it the wrong way under our shed and it's now leaning because the blocks crushed under the weight from being laid the wrong direction.

(We're having it moved again because we changed how we're using that area of the property so we haven't jacked it up and replaced the broken blocks yet).

Hollow blocks are fine. They build house foundations with them.
Like you mentioned, the key is using them correctly.

 

[3KillerBs]

Hollow blocks are fine. They build house foundations with them.
Like you mentioned, the key is using them correctly.

There's a difference between a full foundation of mortared and rebar-reinforced blocks and using a few stacked blocks at strategic points to support an outbuilding.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. To above recommendation, here are some Open Air coop builds:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/