Large inexpensive coop options?

[Ra_]

Ten years ago I built a little goathouse.
Sold the goats 9 years ago and it is now a coop.
I made it 8'x16'. That way you can use full length boards. I wrapped the bottom of pressure treated 2x4's in kitchen trash bags before pouring concrete into their holes and everything is still very solid. I used pieces of corrugated steel for the roof. I wrapped the entire thing in field wire and backed that up with chicken wire. I reinforced joints with steel banding and installed wire to help tie down the roof. It made it through Cat 1 Hurricane Irma (two years ago) that took down some big trees.
Total cost was probably about $200.

 

[Compost King]

I made it 8'x16'.

I find myself making things in sizes of 8 and 16... and even 4 (halfs) when I using lumber I bought. Less cuts = less work, and when I take it down I have Lumber that is likely going to be reused often with the screw holes already in place.

 

[Kris5902]

I find myself making things in sizes of 8 and 16... and even 4 (halfs) when I using lumber I bought. Less cuts = less work, and when I take it down I have Lumber that is likely going to be reused often with the screw holes already in place.

Agree! DH and I were discussing a “bathhouse” started by a tenant here about 5 years ago that is finally being completed as WWOOFer housing. To keep it under the size that would require a building permit it was designed to “approximately” 7x14’ sheathing it was a nightmare (also due to “vintage” windows and someone’s inability to use a square/plumb bob) and it would have more useable space at 8x12’, even though it’s slightly less sq feet overall.

I like to use smaller offcuts of plywood to make triangular gussets that can be used to reinforce 90 degree corners on lighter lumber like 2x2’s though, so there’s lots of other ways to maximize scrap useage!