My Coop design

[scimo]

I am currently designing a portable chicken coop for my new flock (4 weeks old). See attached pictures. It will be made out of welded aluminum angle (1'x1'x1/8"). The coop is 3'x3'. The run is 3'x7'. It has two nesting boxes that are 12"x12". I will update with pictures when I am done.

-Matt

 

[hcammack]

Looks realy good

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It looks good! You might consider moving the wheels forward, to the middle of the house. As it is now, when you pick it up to move it, you'll be picking up all the weight. If you're covering it in plywood, that adds up. If you move the wheels forward, then the house will be pivoting on the wheels, with the wheels carrying most of the weight of the house. I hope that makes sense.

You might also want to consider having the nest boxes a little lower and the roosts a little higher, as they like to sleep in the highest spot. Otherwise, they might try to sleep in the nest boxes.

That's a nice design and aluminum for the frame sounds really interesting. I hope you take pictures as you work on it. I would love to see them.

 

[Wynette]

Nice, Matt! That must be some sort of CadCam design or something? Looks great! Can't wait to see more pics! How many chickens will you house in it?

 

[BantyChickMom]

Looks great -- really nice design.

How many chickens are going to live there??

 

[Flufnstuffs~FluffySilkies]

WHAT A ROOF/WHAT A COOP - I Can't wait to see pictures when you are done.
I would also move the wheels forward. And I would add some more suport in the center of both long sides of the run so when you move it it will be less likly to twist and weeken.

Have fun!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Holy cow Matt! If your building skills are as good as your CAD / design skills then we're all in for a treat!

On behalf of everyone at BYC could you PLEASE take tons of pictures as you build this thing and submit them to us to post in the coop section of BYC? If you're feeling really ambitious and want to have the respect of 5,000 people then you could also take some measurements and provide details on materials, etc.

Don't want to scare you off with only two posts under your belt, but that's a freakin' nice looking coop!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

I am so impressed with the CAD drawings! Yes, that would be the ultimate ckicken tractor design for the BYC coop page. When does construction start? And like the others said, keep your camera handy!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

All I can do is scratch around with pencil on paper. Actually, that's better than what I usually do, which is a lot of gesturing, while I try to explain to my husband! I also grab objects off the desk and add them into the description.

You really have a talent there.

Have you thought about where you might want to put your access doors, yet? Like for cleaning the litter, gathering eggs, giving them food and water or possibly letting them out of the run occasionally? Some people use multiple smaller doors for each individual purpose, other people like to use a larger door or doors, for multiple purposes.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Very impressive drawing and design.

One thing though!

You might also want to consider having the nest boxes a little lower and the roosts a little higher, as they like to sleep in the highest spot. Otherwise, they might try to sleep in the nest boxes.

and cover the nest boxes with a pitched top to keep them from roosting on the boxes.
Credit to woodlandwoman for the quote.​