i need help with coop plans

[Deleon98]

Do you think floor vents for houses would work as good ventilation? I have a lot of extras so i was hoping maybe i could install the in the walls and the cieling when i build.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They should work so long as you secure them well. Make sure they cannot be pushed or pulled out as that would allow not so nice things in with the chickens.

 

[TalkALittle]

That was a good video. I just dont have the tools for all that but ill look at google images

If you buy your lumber at Home Depot or Lowe's you can have them cut it for you or cut it yourself. They will cut plywood to your dimensions. I've purchased 1x6 rough hewn pine boards in 16' lengths and they cut them all in to 4' lengths for me. You can even cut smaller trim pieces to length there.

You won't be able to cut angle cuts at the store though, but if you pick up a mitre box and saw you can cut those at home. Sure, it takes more time and elbow grease than using a power compound mitre saw but it's cheaper than buying or renting the tools.

I'd look for a design that uses a minimum amount of cuts and that eliminates waste. For example, if a coop is 6 feet long you'll need to cut down 2 pieces of plywood and you'll end up with two 2' pieces of waste. If that wall was 4 feet long though, you'd only need one sheet of plywood cut in half. Only one cut and no waste. You can frame out an 8'x4' coop with very few cuts.

A raised coop is the way to go if you're on a tight budget. You don't need to have fancy exterior access nest boxes either. If you really think your design through, you will come up with ways to work with your limited budget and with the tools and skills you have. Plus, you could always ask friends or neighbors if they have tools you can borrow.

 

[TalkALittle]

Do you think floor vents for houses would work as good ventilation? I have a lot of extras so i was hoping maybe i could install the in the walls and the cieling when i build.

You're in Florida, right? You will need a fair amount of ventilation for your hot summers. I imagine that large openings covered in hardware cloth would be better options. You can always make little doors/shutters for them if you want to close them.

 

[TalkALittle]

Have you checked out the gallery of coops here on BYC yet?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

 

[yochickiemomma]

If you have a hand saw of some kind that'll work too just takes longer to make cuts. Small hardware stores sometimes have rental centers where you or your parents can rent hand/ power tools for cheep.

 

[Deleon98]

Would this deer fencing be good fencing?

 

[yochickiemomma]

Depends on the type of predators you have in your area. I have a friend who just lost his three hens because a bobcat pulled his fence out of the ground and went under. My biggest concern is its plastic right? Most rodents and deter minded predators will chew right through it.

 

[Tumbling K]

Would this deer fencing be good fencing?

be good at keeping your chickens in, but not so good at keeping unwanted visitors out!!

 

[Deleon98]

Is that for all plastic fencing or just this one? And also i was wondering how you put the hardware cloth underground to protect from digging predators