My New Coop...step by step

[LadyBug7]

Looks awesome!

 

[tracecom]

looks great. If the door is T111 you my want to cross buck and/or frame the inside with 2x2s. My door warped something awful and eventually I couldn't get it to shut. Got so bad had to have my kids stand on it with me when I shot the screw to the 2x2s. Still has a slit bow but it closes.

Thanks. I am sure you are correct, but I hope my door is okay. It's Smart Side on the outside and 1/4" OSB on the inside with 2x4's sandwiched in between. Weighs a ton!

 

[tracecom]

Looks awesome!

Thanks.

I don't have any new pics, but I did make some progress. The windows are covered with hardware cloth as are the gaps between the rafters above the top plates. I installed some commercial grade vinyl that I bought at a yard sale; I did have to piece it, but it's great quality stuff and only cost $5.

I also moved the chicks in. You can read about that in this thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/903679/bcms-are-growing-fast

The next steps are to make the two windows, waterproof the nest box lid, and install the metal roof. After that, there's trim and painting. It's a good thing I underestimated the effort and cost required, else I might not have started building.

 

[LadyBug7]

I don't have any new pics, but I did make some progress.

Well get out there and take a few!

I'm really interested to see how it's looking since I told my husband he needed to make me one like yours.

 

[DoubleMM]

With 2x4s you'll be fine..

 

[tracecom]

Well get out there and take a few!

I'm really interested to see how it's looking since I told my husband he needed to make me one like yours.

I am going back to work on it Thursday, and will post some new photo's late Thursday or Friday.

 

[tracecom]

Here are some pics of the progress.

I found that three nipples for the waterer were two too many, so I made a new waterer with only one nipple, and set it on bricks instead of suspending it with a chain. The chicks are still throwing too much water around, so I will be making more changes.



We had a lot of rain and north wind, which drenched the inside of the coop, so I made awnings for the windows. I will be adding some waterproof material to the awning top when I install the roof metal.



Closeup of the awning. The window is just set in the opening; I will be adding hinges at the top. The hardware cloth is on the inside.



Details of the hardware cloth between the rafters, and the hurricane straps.





More later.

 

[So Cal Chic]

Love this awning--what a great idea beautifully executed. My coop will also be 4x8 so I am following you closely.

 

[tracecom]

Love this awning--what a great idea beautifully executed. My coop will also be 4x8 so I am following you closely.

Thanks. The awning is intentionally light weight as it will have essentially no loading. The framework is 1 x 2's (3/4' by 1 1/2") and the top is 1/2" exterior plywood. The side plates are 1/4" plywood. It is important to note that with the awning this close to the top of the window, top hinges are required. Side hinges would allow the top corner of the window to hit the awning before the window could open.

 

[hckyguy77]

Will you be leaving the top open near the chicken wire for air or will you be closing that up a little more? I also have this area between the roof and coop walls so I'm not sure if I should leave it open or if that will allow to much of a draft during winter.