Input on this Coop plan

[Ridgerunner]

You can't take much off of a 4' wide porch and have a porch left. With that porch you can get out of the rain when going inside the coop instead of getting soaked as you are opening or closing the door, especially if your hands are full. With that porch to keep rain and snow out, you can open up a big area up at the top of the porch/storage area wall to get great high ventilation. There are practical reasons to have a porch. A big function may be appearance, it can make the coop more attractive though plenty of coops without porches are really cute. There is nothing wrong with attractive, it can be important to some people. If you have neighbors worried about property values an attractive coop can soothe some nerves.

 

[we3ernes]

Yep, just remember you'll have to get down on the floor to tend to the brooder inhabitants...my knees are shot so I always see this aspect.

You certainly will find use for that extra storage space.
I have thought all along here, why do you need a porch when you could have more coop space? Take at least 2-3 of those 4 porch feet.

I think the up and down would be true for almost any brooder who’s goal is interaction with the chickens. I think I would split the rear poop board and have it hinge so I could lift the top of the “brooder” to change out water and food, but yes there will be a good deal of upping and downing. My knees (and hips, and back) are shot as well (my orthopedic surgeon loves me and my “crappy spine” I think I’ve sent one of his kids through school), so I am always hyper aware of what will go into getting up and down.

The porch was a compromise with my husband who really wanted it, this is one of those times where it was just best to say “yes dear” and move on. It helps to make the coop look less outbuildingish. The coop will face the house (seen below) across the driveway. The pitch of the roof and the height of the coop will be very similar to the entry of our house.

 

[aart]

The porch was a compromise with my husband who really wanted it, this is one of those times where it was just best to say “yes dear” and move on. It helps to make the coop look less outbuildingish. The coop will face the house (seen below) across the driveway. The pitch of the roof and the height of the coop will be very similar to the entry of our house.

I can understand the aesthetics aspect....and the need for big shade in Tx.
Your house is cool....were the big 'porch' roofs added later?

 

[we3ernes]

Makes sense... and if you framed the divider fence between the main coop and broader area, you could make it removable to utilize that space when not used for brooding or isolation. Also be easier to clean. If you are like most of us, no matter what, you will end up changing something after you've had them a while.

I would plan on making the dividers removable and flexible, so that I could do a smaller space for smaller groups and do the entire space for larger groups. I do know that I will have changes and projects down the road, but my goal is to have the large pieces in place so I’m not having to undo too much.

I think I read someplace that being smart is learning from your own mistakes, being a genius is learning from other people’s mistakes. I intend to learn as much as I can from everyone here!

 

[we3ernes]

I can understand the aesthetics aspect....and the need for big shade in Tx.
Your house is cool....were the big 'porch' roofs added later?

No, but they were meant to look that way. The entire house was completed about 2 months ago. It is our “forever” home after 22 years of wandering around at the military’s direction. I designed it to have none of the pains of our last 15 homes and all the joys. As a result it suits us to a tee!

 

[Kat2141]

I think the up and down would be true for almost any brooder who’s goal is interaction with the chickens. I think I would split the rear poop board and have it hinge so I could lift the top of the “brooder” to change out water and food, but yes there will be a good deal of upping and downing. My knees (and hips, and back) are shot as well (my orthopedic surgeon loves me and my “crappy spine” I think I’ve sent one of his kids through school), so I am always hyper aware of what will go into getting up and down.

The porch was a compromise with my husband who really wanted it, this is one of those times where it was just best to say “yes dear” and move on. It helps to make the coop look less outbuildingish. The coop will face the house (seen below) across the driveway. The pitch of the roof and the height of the coop will be very similar to the entry of our house.

View attachment 1606228

I LOVE your wrap-around porch. That was something I wanted if we were to build, but then we went a different route. I'm sure you enjoy a lot of time there.

 

[we3ernes]

I did a rendition in SketchUp. I find having to draw it realistically helps to work out kinks. Unfortunately viewing SketchUp is much easier in person when you can rotate it around to catch details. I made some educated assumptions about the shed construction and left off the sheathing so it would be easier to see inside.

Perspective from front left corner

Front

Rear

Left

Plan

I decided If I can put the brooder/isolation section in the coop (under the rear poop boards) then I can make the storage area smaller. I basically need it deep enough to easily access the nest boxes and the "loft" over the front porch.

For the nest boxes I sort of combined JThorton's and Opa's. I did end up making them a single level, but if I don't use deep litter then I should be able to add a second set below the first.

I have more edits to make - adding a pop door for the brooder to the outside, creating chick portals in the brooder wire, and deciding how to make the feeding station. Some things will be easier to decide once the structure is here and I can see the location of the studs.

Gravel pad is done, shed is being delivered Tuesday, and chicks arrive between January 8-10!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

How much will all of this cost?

 

[aart]

I find having to draw it realistically helps to work out kinks.

Absolutely...True Size and Shape!

Unfortunately viewing SketchUp is much easier in person when you can rotate it around to catch details.

Yes, yes it is. Being a long time cadder, when I see a model I automatically try to rotate it!
If studs are on a different level you can turn that one off, make it easier to view it.

 

[Kat2141]

I'd be willing to bet that your girls will all tend to use only 1 or 2 nest boxes. I had a few for mine and all 6 used one all summer. sometimes 3 or 4 were in at once. LOL