My first coop. I'm new to chickens of my own.

[brahmapapa]

I too recommend setting the bottom higher as 6" is perfect for critters to eventually live there. Also, over time all structures settle and before long that structure will have sunk to be setting on the floor. I fully agree with raising it to 12" at the verry least and enclose it with wire fencing dug into the ground at least 12" so the chickens can use it.

 

[Renthorin]

Well....I tried to convince the boss it needs to be higher off the ground but she won't hear it. Her chicken coop was on the ground (part of the barn) when growing up so gosh darn it...so will this one

That being said, she also wants me to do a tractor for them to be in the yard a lot during the warm months so they will get more room than originally planned.

I have begun construction. Is it desirable to post picts as I go or save them for the end?

 

[equinelyn]

Post the progress! I would love to see how it goes. Best of luck!

 

[Renthorin]

foundation -

floor -

walls going up -

walls and ceiling beams -

Today's project is the roof and sides. Hopefully with door and windows

 

[Mattemma]

Very nice pictures. Do you have a material list? I need to build a coop and my extent of building has been a 4x4 garden box,lol. I have been trying to find detailed building info.Do you have your listed?

Why does the coop need to be off the ground at all? For water issues? How do you attach the walls to the flooring? Sorry for the hijack!Thank you again for the photos.

 

[gmherps]

very nice start to the coop!!!

 

[Renthorin]

No, I don't have any formal plans. I drew them up on some scratch paper during a meeting at work. I was bored and new nobody would ask me anything so I didn't need to pay attention.

I tried to keep it simple. I new I'd be using 4x8 sheets of plywood so everything is based off that. It is 7.5x7.5 so I get 3" overhang all around. Other than that, I just framed it up with the vertical studs at 16" on center so insulation will be easy to install. I made each side one at a time and stood them up and attached as I went around each side.

I have a pre-fab Lowes shed and while they are MUCH easier to assemble than from scratch, the quality leaves me wondering how it manages to stand up to a heavy thunderstorm. I wanted this "shed" to be better made so I did it myself.

I still have two windows to put in, one on the front (same side as the door) and one on the SW side, hoping to get some cross ventilation.

Here is a question - at the back of the coop, where the roof beams are attached to the top of that wall, there is of course a 16" gap the size of a 2x4, except the roof is at a slight angle; think of your house where the soffit is. I was thinking that would make for good ventilation in the summer. I can screen it over and when I need to plug the gaps, have pre-cut 2x4 on hand and slide them into place. That sound like a good plan? It is at the low part of the sloped roof and that is the part of the coop where I am thinking of placing the roost. The airflow would be above them at night.

I am currently working on the door and windows. Want to ask the boss if she agrees on my window placement before I cut the holes.
Here is a picture from this morning's work. I have completed all sides and am working on framing the door, but that isn't in this picture.

I sent it to my brother and he said my coop looks more like a large outhouse!

 

[Renthorin]

Got a little free time to myself this weekend so I did some more work. Have two windows cut out. One window is framed and ready to go on. The door is hung. Insulated the inside. Added the chicken door. And finally...put the first primer coat on. Going to do the second coat tonight.

Picts:

Will

 

[Renthorin]

Updated picture. The outside is done and I'm almost done with the inside. I have half a wall to finish and the ceiling. Then, paint the inside, build the nest boxes, and build the roosts.

Here is a picture of the outside. Two coats of white primer with two coats of green over that. The door and windows are a light shade of gray, as is the door to the future run.

 

[DaddyChicken]

So I assume you race a GN?

BTW, nice coop.