Input requested on adjusting building plans for duck coop

[Childwanderer]

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans/poultry
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/aben-plans/5400.pdf
The plans can also be found on pages 64-65 of "How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nest Boxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More" by Carol Ekarius (Storey Publishing)

Planned changes/adjustments:
-Elimination of roosts (ducks don't need them)
-Elimination of floor frame (the structure will be on a raised bed of gravel, soil, and bedding framed by cinderblocks)
-Elimination of runners (the coop will be in a fixed location)
-Replacement of wire mesh wall opposite door with solid wall
-Increase in height to allow a grown woman to walk upright through the door and along the tallest part of the interior

I would like to hear other suggestions for adjustments, opinions on proposed changes, advice for adjusting the materials list to account for proposed changes, and pros and cons of using shiplap vs. alternative solid wall and roofing materials.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would think shiplap would be expensive, i just used plywood on the walls in my coop.
If you have to do a lot of changes to the plan, perhaps you could find a plan more to your liking on BYC.

 

[Childwanderer]

Cost is an important factor; I will likely forgo the shiplap. What do you think about using aluminum sheets for the roof and/or solid wall?

As for finding a plan more consistent with my needs/wishes, this is the closest so far. I have not had success finding better plans through byc.

 

[CapricornFarm]

The problem with aluminum walls is heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Plus adequate ventilation.
How big and what features are you looking for in a coop?

 

[Childwanderer]

I'm looking for a walk-in floorless (a must for drainage) coop with 64-100 square feet. No roosts or built-in nesting boxes required. It must be fairly simple to build and not too expensive. I live in the Gulf Coast region of TX, so flooding, heat, and humidity are concerns but sub-zero temperatures are not. I plan to use deep litter bedding on top of a raised foundation of gravel and dirt surrounded by cinderblocks. In the predator/pests department, we have dogs, cats, pack rats, raccoons, red foxes, hawks, and owls, but no wildcats and probably no non-domestic canids.

 

[Childwanderer]

The attached file shows sketched-out plans I drew for what I want in the duck coop. I lack the building expertise to fill in the construction details and confirm that the measurements match up, so I decided to look for pre-designed plans instead.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Have you seen my coop i built? It is 8x10 and has a slanted roof. Seems to me with this coop you are shy on headroom. Look at what i built, you could build it 10x10. Pretty easy build. Lots of pictures. On the thread Helpful hints for building chicken coops. You could put welded wire on 2 or more sides for air flow. I need to block wind here as it gets pretty chilly.