need to build easy, large , coop FAST (and cheap)

[farmerjohn1234]

Hi all first post here, maybe someone can help me?

I need to build a simple, cheap, fast , one day coop based on 3foot by 6foot plywood and (not the standard 4X8foot.) to house some large Muscovys, 4 of them

I'm thinking a typical A- frame type ark that is totally enclosed, they will free range, but need to be protected at night and occassionally to stay comppletely inside for weekend.

something like this [ cant post link sorry] any plans? ideas? thanks so much , john

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Here's a pic of a coop I just built. It is mostly plywood, but I made a solid floor to keep critters out. Mine is 4'x12'x6'. It was designed for some show bantams that won't get to free range at all (yes, those are some young LF in the left section). Its very simple, and except for the awkwardness of the size, it wasn't a hard build, I did most of the work myself. I'm in a warm climate, so I wanted it safe, but open for the most part, with a cozy sleeping section for nighttime. Overall, its working out really well for me. I need to add a few higher roosts, but that is my weekend project! It could be easily adapted to other dimensions, and it certainly could be made without the solid floor.

 

[wannabchick]

Thanks so much for sharing, you have given me some ideas

 

[Bleenie]

Where are you located farmerjohn? it would be better if we knew what your climate was like before we started tossing you coop ideas.

 

[farmerjohn1234]

Thanks Bleenie, I'm in Japan, hot wet summers, cool mild winters but with snow, Thanks so much for the info there Sunny, I'm considering it. They'll like the open front, they seem to be claustrophobic, never had a low roof on them before, so want to accomidate them ASAP.

 

[AZBootsie]

 

[Bleenie]

If possible, make it elevated up off the ground, just in case the area you're building it in ever gets very wet. Open front would be a good idea, I wouldn't recommend an A-frame, no Muscovies i have ever had liked small spaces so i think the low roof would bother them. My Muscovies prefer sleeping outside rather than in their enclosed coop. They really just like to see what's going on. As long as they have a roof over them, walls to keep the wind off them and dry bedding they will be just fine. Muscovies are pretty hardy birds.

If you'rs like to roost you could also add a 2x4 in the back for them to roost on, probably just a couple feet off the floor so the drake(s) can get up too. The open air front will give them shade & help keep them cool in the hot summers too. Make sure you have your open side(front) facing a direction that the wind doesn't normally blow from.

As long as they're free ranging a lot they don't need a huge area.

 

[speedy2020]

Here is a coop that built from shipping box and set on 3 piles of cement block. You can easily replace front side with the chicken wire if need see through.

 

[farmerjohn1234]

Thanks again Bleenie. We are wet wet wet so I'll try and keep it up as high as poss. Sunny's shape is looking better, the door part is gonna throw me but I'll try it. A coupla dozen door latch hooks oughta do it Actually I like the solid floor Sunny, easier than chicken wire maybe. I'll try to make the floor replacable, it'll get nasty in a year. Thanks speedy, Coming together folks, thanks again,

john

 

[Bleenie]

Sunny's coop style is good. If you can, try and get some free or cheap peel n' stick tiles or linoleum for the floor(don't know how much that kinda stuff is used over there, lol). It makes cleaning so much easier and makes the floor last longer. They will probably want to brood in the house so I would go with a solid floor for better insulation & hatch rates.

good luck & have fun