I'm trying to build a coop

[New2Chickens2954]

So, I have 4 chickens & 1 rooster in a coop already. But, I have 1 rooster and 3 chickens that roam. They do not go in the coop- and never have. They have literally always free roamed. With winter coming- I want to build them something to use IN CASE they want to go in. It's currently raining & I just got this idea to build them a coop instead of buying. I am not very good at construction or building. My fiance is but this will mostly be my project

What is the cheapest, yet most efficient way to build? What kinds of materials do I ask for at the hardware store?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

So, I have 4 chickens & 1 rooster in a coop already. But, I have 1 rooster and 3 chickens that roam. They do not go in the coop- and never have. They have literally always free roamed. With winter coming- I want to build them something to use IN CASE they want to go in. It's currently raining & I just got this idea to build them a coop instead of buying. I am not very good at construction or building. My fiance is but this will mostly be my project

What is the cheapest, yet most efficient way to build? What kinds of materials do I ask for at the hardware store?

I would check on the forum for coop design & building. Try searching for that and you should find a wealth of resources. Building it yourself is always better and less expensive. Just make sure you build it with predators in mind. Big ones and little ones. Good luck.

 

[paintedChix]

Easy to build; easy to maintain; easy on the pocketbook; easy to take down & move - CP (cattle panel) hoop coops.

Can do different roof plans - tarps may not hold in your area with a heavy/wet snow fall, however there are many here on BYC that are in snow load areas. May need to use HC in smaller sizes than I currently do.

I show several different styles here on my Google albums. Some are permanent where we hooped already in place approximately 8-9' x 8-9' pens (each of the 4 pens are slightly different sizes & none is actually square - making installing those hoops very interesting indeed!) that were originally only 3-1/2 ' to not quite 4' tall. 3 were originally built as 8x8 tractors that have become permanent on this property. The 2 smaller ones use T-posts for support instead of a wood frame and are 50" deep by 8' wide - 1 CP vs the 2 on the others.

You can also see the "sheds" that I put up (by myself - a 50+ yr old woman - out of shape and "rather fluffy") - using pallets, 2 CP & haystring. They are of different sizes but both are currently 100" deep (2 CP). Again, w/ a snow load, tarps may not work for you. We do get snow, but less then your area. We get more rain and ice than snow.

Coops, Cattle Panels and Sheds

 

[David61]

You have two flocks of chickens. You need two coops. Can you use your coop to add on the back side? Four free range birds don't need much of a roost as long as its not in the same coop/run.

 

[Cryss]

There's always the option of using an existing or bought shed. Add nests inside. Install roosts higher than the nests. (Poop boards are a wonderful addition) Cut out ventilation along the walls at the highest point, under the roof line, and cover securely with hardware cloth. Add a run and a pop door, a hardware cloth apron for security from diggers. That's basics. Have a look around here for more ideas.
Btw, to get them to actually USE the coop they need to learn that this is a safe place to call home. Physically put them inside, close them in with food and water and keep them inside for at least a week, longer might be better considering they are set in their ways.
Good luck!! Keep us updated!