Need help with plan for side by side (2) external next boxes on coop. (dimensions, materials, etc.)

[jimmywalt]

Here is the coop my buddy helped me get started. I'm not a carpenter!

The coop is 4x4 with 4' high in the front and 3 1/3' high in the back. I want to attach an external nest box (2- side by side) in the 4'x 3 1/2' wall.

I would like the box to open from the top - Lift the roof to see in the 2 nest boxes. the roof will be hinged to the coop.

I just can't vision how to cut the wood and what size wood to use. Should I use 1" x 2" or 2" x 2", what would be best? I will need a small slant on the nest boxes so that rain water will drain off the back.

What are the optimal size for the nest boxes? I've read 12" x 12" x 14" (with the 14" being the height at the front of the box - but what would the back be?)

I'm an Accountant, not a carpenter. Without my buddies help I wouldn't have had a clue how to get this far. Unfortunately he is extremely busy and I have no idea when or if he will be able to help me again.

Unfortunately I can't vision how this should be built. I can build a square box in my mind, but nothing with a bit of a slanted roof. I will need the roof to lay flush with the crossmembers so that drafts/snow/rain doesn't get in the house during the winter.

Thank you!

Here is where the back wall with the nest boxes will attach:


Here is a side profile so you get the idea of what the coop looks like and the slant of the roof



Here's my drawing of what I vision the nest boxes to look like external to the coop.

 

[ellie32526]

Here is the coop my buddy helped me get started. I'm not a carpenter!

The coop is 4x4 with 4' high in the front and 3 1/3' high in the back. I want to attach an external nest box (2- side by side) in the 4'x 3 1/2' wall.

I would like the box to open from the top - Lift the roof to see in the 2 nest boxes. the roof will be hinged to the coop.

I just can't vision how to cut the wood and what size wood to use. Should I use 1" x 2" or 2" x 2", what would be best? I will need a small slant on the nest boxes so that rain water will drain off the back.

What are the optimal size for the nest boxes? I've read 12" x 12" x 14" (with the 14" being the height at the front of the box - but what would the back be?)

I'm an Accountant, not a carpenter. Without my buddies help I wouldn't have had a clue how to get this far. Unfortunately he is extremely busy and I have no idea when or if he will be able to help me again.

Unfortunately I can't vision how this should be built. I can build a square box in my mind, but nothing with a bit of a slanted roof. I will need the roof to lay flush with the crossmembers so that drafts/snow/rain doesn't get in the house during the winter.

Thank you!

Here is where the back wall with the nest boxes will attach:


Here is a side profile so you get the idea of what the coop looks like and the slant of the roof



Here's my drawing of what I vision the nest boxes to look like external to the coop.

You're already halfway there, you want the nest boxes to be 12 X 12 with one side 14 and probably 12 at the low end of the slant. You will need to cut the following pieces:
sides: 12 X 14 (2) trim so that the side near the coop is 14" high and the side away from the coop is 12" high
divider (optional): 12X 12
bottom: 12 X 24
top: 28 X 14 your roof will have 2" overhang on sides and edge away from coop to allow rain, snow, etc to run off rather than leak inside nest box.
Sorry I don't have a diagram for you but if you look on this site you may find a diagram that is really close.
I have seen some very similar to your design. My husband and I are not DIYers either, we have had to trial and error through our build, mostly on the error - but hey that's how we learn right?

 

[jimmywalt]

You're already halfway there, you want the nest boxes to be 12 X 12 with one side 14 and probably 12 at the low end of the slant. You will need to cut the following pieces:
sides: 12 X 14 (2) trim so that the side near the coop is 14" high and the side away from the coop is 12" high
divider (optional): 12X 12
bottom: 12 X 24
top: 28 X 14 your roof will have 2" overhang on sides and edge away from coop to allow rain, snow, etc to run off rather than leak inside nest box.
Sorry I don't have a diagram for you but if you look on this site you may find a diagram that is really close.
I have seen some very similar to your design. My husband and I are not DIYers either, we have had to trial and error through our build, mostly on the error - but hey that's how we learn right?

Thank you! But building the frame inside of the walls, floor and top is what is messing me up, that I can't figure out.

 

[ellie32526]

Thank you! But building the frame inside of the walls, floor and top is what is messing me up, that I can't figure out.

Try this one, it uses brackets, I'll keep looking.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/country-acres

 

[ellie32526]

Try this one, it uses brackets, I'll keep looking.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/country-acres

Here's another, https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/trictles-chicken-coop-with-plans

 

[ellie32526]

Here's another, https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/trictles-chicken-coop-with-plans

It looks like you need to attach a 2 X 2 around the opening to secure the nest box to or use brackets to attach it. The 2 X 2 's will give you some wood for the screws to bite into and provide stability more than just plywood alone because the nest boxes weigh a little bit. You might want to consider adding a brace underneath like the wooden support braces used for mailboxes. I hope that makes sense.

We avoided the nest box problem because my henhouse is a converted storage shed and my nest boxes are inside.

 

[jimmywalt]

It looks like you need to attach a 2 X 2 around the opening to secure the nest box to or use brackets to attach it. The 2 X 2 's will give you some wood for the screws to bite into and provide stability more than just plywood alone because the nest boxes weigh a little bit. You might want to consider adding a brace underneath like the wooden support braces used for mailboxes. I hope that makes sense.

We avoided the nest box problem because my henhouse is a converted storage shed and my nest boxes are inside.

Thank you for all your posts above. They give me some good ideas!

 

[newburt]

If you over think this it will keep you from figuring it out lol. I have done this before. You don't have to frame the best box. Just take the wall and cut a hole the size of the nest box. Build your best box and then put 2x4 or 1x4 all the way around it and secure them. Slide the nest box through the hole in the wall and the 2x4 or 1x4 whichever you used will catch the box and then run screws from the outside of the wall into the 2x4 on the nest box. If this doesn't help I will make one ( I have to make one anyway) and post step by step pics.

 

[jimmywalt]

If you over think this it will keep you from figuring it out lol. I have done this before. You don't have to frame the best box. Just take the wall and cut a hole the size of the nest box. Build your best box and then put 2x4 or 1x4 all the way around it and secure them. Slide the nest box through the hole in the wall and the 2x4 or 1x4 whichever you used will catch the box and then run screws from the outside of the wall into the 2x4 on the nest box. If this doesn't help I will make one ( I have to make one anyway) and post step by step pics.

Hey thank you very much for that help! I think I can see the vision now. Let's just hope that I can when I have the wood in front of me.

I think if you have the time to do a step-by-step your instructions will help out many, many people for years to come that are like me and can't figure it out. Maybe even do your own thread (but let me know where it's located - post your link here) then people can search and will find your instructions.

Thank you again.

 

[newburt]

Hey thank you very much for that help! I think I can see the vision now. Let's just hope that I can when I have the wood in front of me.

I think if you have the time to do a step-by-step your instructions will help out many, many people for years to come that are like me and can't figure it out. Maybe even do your own thread (but let me know where it's located - post your link here) then people can search and will find your instructions.

Thank you again.

No problem !!! I m working on two coops and I will post progress pics to make it easier to understand. Have a blessed day.