Need HELP with large coop design

[circuspeanut]

Hi I'd like to join in this conversation, specifically about hardware cloth, or hardwire cloth. What is best to use on a run? Galvanized before welded wire mesh or galvanized after? I don't know the difference in terms of quality and strength. What size and what gauge are you all using? Thanks!

 

[pm]

I think I would eliminate the hallway, and put the hen section on the left wall and the storage in the middle. That would mean the entry door would be on the bottom of your sketch, and you can eliminate one, or both, doors on the top. A hallway seems like a waste of valuable space. I would also be sure to make all doors 36" to make it easy to get a wheelbarrow through. I use a painted, plywood floor, with deep litter. Just make sure you have your water system under control and don't leak or spill.

Paul

 

[jsuhre]

Thanks pm for the idea! I never thought to design it that way

 

[RedneckGurl]

The design seems pretty sound and pm's suggestion on moving the door seems like a good one. Not sure what part of the world you're located in but I'd definitely suggest you consider using sand in your coop and run areas, especially if you're planning on having that large a flock of birds. You should check out a couple of threads on here about using sand - almost everyone who tries it says they'll never go back to anything else due primarily to two factors - ease of cleanup, even for large areas, and lack of odor. Good luck with the build. I hope it doesn't take you as long as it's taking us. We have been working on our coop and run now since mid-April and are hopefully in the final stages of construction - 8x12 coop and 25' x 25' enclosed run. BTW, I plan to use sand in both the coop and the run.

 

[jsuhre]

That was my first thought to use sand. Just wanted to see what other people thought.

 

[aart]

Hi I'd like to join in this conversation, specifically about hardware cloth, or hardwire cloth. What is best to use on a run? Galvanized before welded wire mesh or galvanized after? I don't know the difference in terms of quality and strength. What size and what gauge are you all using? Thanks!

GAW won't rust out nearly as soon, 19ga 1/2" x 1/2" GAW is the most often used and most readily available.
It should be attached with screws and washers every 6-8" or it could get torn off by coons, fox, dogs.
advanced search>titles only> hardware cloth

 

[puglady]

I use a wooden floor so there's no digging under.
My very 1st coop was a small raised 4x6. I've since built several coops including a two level 8x16. My 2 cents would be to build with as little cuts as possible, saving a bunch of time and waste. 16'x20' if you can swing it financially.
It'll be interesting to follow this along, please keep us updated with pics if possible.

 

[circuspeanut]

Thanks, aart. I'm about to order the hardware cloth for the run. Main posts are almost all in.

This site is invaluable for the first timer!

 

[leoismydog]

I use the hardware cloth over the 2x4 wire at the bottom to prevent coons and such reaching through and killing the birds. Ever come out to the coup with a 1/2 eaten bird mostly pulled through that 2x4 wire, I did one to many times and that's when I ran the hardware cloth over the 2x4 wire as a reach through preventive. Its 2' high wire. no more more issues with that in place.

 

[leoismydog]

I think I would eliminate the hallway, and put the hen section on the left wall and the storage in the middle. That would mean the entry door would be on the bottom of your sketch, and you can eliminate one, or both, doors on the top. A hallway seems like a waste of valuable space. I would also be sure to make all doors 36" to make it easy to get a wheelbarrow through. I use a painted, plywood floor, with deep litter. Just make sure you have your water system under control and don't leak or spill.

Paul

What he said also on the layout 1 door and less waist space.
im currently doing a 20x24 and have one access door on right side with the storage/brooder area (8x24) and 3 pens on the left 3 at 12x8 so they run perpendicular to the storage/brooder area

-------------------24'----------------------------
exit
storage / brooder door

------------wire wall----------------------- 20'
w w
pen I pen I pen
r r
e e



Im starting a thread on the build here https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/799186/my-mega-coop-build-begins#post_11546054