My first coop build

[bird_is_the_word]

seriously?

chickens are hilarious

Well, I'm about to find out then. I'm not going to stain. I still think paint will be a sufficient vapor barrier

 

[gsim]

Quote:
nope. just read everyone's suggestions this morning. I would hope paint would provide that vapor barrier. I don't plan on raising chicks but if I did in the future that would definitely be a concern. I think painting will have to do.

Quote:
How tall of a roof are we talking? I'm starting tonight so this is important to me. The bottom of the ridge beam is 15" above the top of what you see. I'm guessing here but maybe a 30 degree roof ^ . There will be vents in the gables of the roof so I figured that would help. I also plan to silicone the walls where they meet the floors.

Do a chalet-style. Ventilate the ridge and soffits full length. Do gable vents too. You can get small ones at Lowe's etc. Higher and loftier the better. You can just leave the space open between trusses/rafters for it to breathe/cool better. Just fill it with hardware cloth mesh to keep predators out. Ditto gable ventilation. This will make it breathe where it should breathe and you will have good ventilation even with the bottom shut up for prevention of drafts. Keep bottom openings wide open in all but cold weather. Best to have the hardware cloth for those openings too. See 'My BYC Page' for ventilation specs/photos.

Gerry

 

[bird_is_the_word]

a few updates. I started with the rafters and tried my best to cut the correct birdsmouth. what a pain

come to find out 2x4s are not the best when dealing with angles over 25. 2x6s would have been much better but it's a coop so.... I think it came out well. Take a look for yourself.

The rafters came out over the nest box access on the side which was good.

The rest is history

Lastly, I put one side of the sheeting on. One thing I would have done differently was making the rafters exactly 48". I screwed up and made them 46"

so I had to rip it. Well, anyway I got one side finished.

 

[abChicken]

still looking good

 

[jenesis536]

Looks great! Way better job than we did. I can't wait to see the rest!

 

[kvmommy]

Oh...if only I could do half that good. Its coming along beautifully.

 

[speedy2020]

You may want to move the coup to plan location before finish the job. It will get very heavy and hard to move later.

 

[WaterAye]

It's looking really nice. I'd turn it into a mother in law apartment.

 

[Caddy-Corner-Chick]

That is a very nice coop, Wish I was that talented.

 

[AZBootsie]

Wow really nice job!! You have some skills!!

We have always painted the interior of our coops, with no problems (even years ago, before all the VOC regulations). If possible use a high gloss, washable paint. Don't know how the chickens manage it, but several times I have had to scrub poo way high on the walls and off the ceiling.

Your progress has inspired me. I need another coop for my hatchlings. Gonna have to use some of your ideas!!