Needing some input please

21hens-incharge

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I need to build a new coop and run.
My current set up is a pain. I have ended up with 5 coops and need to reduce it to 2.
I have an area that is 21' x 16' the problem I have is that I can only go 7' high. I need to have a covered run and have recycled metal roofing available.
I would like to be able to walk into the coops so elevating seems out of the question.
I need to know ...

1. Will the metal roofing materials work for siding as well and what about rot at the bottom boards?

2. How do I cut it to make windows?

3. Can I use regular siding?

4. How would I protect the wood siding from rot or absorbing water?

5. Since the run will be facing south how do I get sun into the coop with a metal roof on both and a 7' height restriction? Can I add a couple pal roof clear pieces even though they would have to touch the metal ones? (Worried about the metal cutting the pal roof.)

6. I need to have a dirt floor in the coop since mice seem to think the converted shed makes a great home underneath. How do I frame the coop in?

More info on my set up needs...
I have 22 birds and plan on having 9 in the bantam coop and the rest in the other side.
The back of the coop will face north with lilac bushes right up to it. (They are mature lilacs already there.) On the south side I have about 6' from the planned run to the chain link fence with mature sumac's. On the west end I have about 6' to the privacy fence with lady bells along it. On the east end I have a mature ash tree. (Not a favorite but at 25+ feet tall and a power line through it I do not think I will be removing it.)
I am thinking on a coop that is 6' x 21' with room on one end to store the feed and bedding.


You are all full of wonderful ideas and useful input. All ideas are welcome.
I am thanking you in advance.
 
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I know the more experienced folks will chime in and give lots of practical advice - but I just wanted to mention one thing that I DO have experience with and that's metal buildings. I don't know where you are located, but if it's somewhere with hot summers just be aware that metal buildings get hot. REALLY hot. My barn is constructed of a metal roof and metal siding. I had originally considered converting part of it for the chickens, but there is no way I could put animals in there - even with lots of ventilation. Think hot car on a summer day + the heater on full blast.

Lots of people use metal roofing - there's no problem with that. But I'd go with something else for the walls/siding and cut lots of ventilation. Depending on what you use, you can paint it or seal it with deck/porch sealant to keep out moisture.

Also, I used the clear corrugated plastic panels (pal ruf) for the roof of my run and really like it (lets a lot of light in). But I also put a layer of hardware cloth underneath for predator protection. Those panels are really flimsy and I can see something chewing through them really easily.

Just my two cents
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. Good luck!
 
Thank you. I was wondering about the heat thing. I have 2x4 welded wire that I can put under any pal roof we use. Saw a huge raccoon last year and don't want to see it up close if it fell through the roof.

So you are thinking the regular wood siding would be ok by the ground?
Can I use 2x12's on the ground for framing then I could keep the siding off the ground a bit?
OH dear don't tell me I would need to pour a footing. I am in this build alone until it comes time to put the metal on the roof.

I am planning to have it so that I can basically open the entire south side of the coop into the run in the summer and am wanting to leave the siding down from the roof trusses about 18 inches on the north side. Hardware cloth of course on those openings. I am thinking that I could make panels that I would put in in the winter to close them off some.

OH and the budget is a 1500 dollar maximum.

I have 6' chain link (about 80 foot long so plenty of that).
I have 2x4 welded wire 6' ( about 125' of that).
Metal roofing is recycled and I have a ton of that.
 
I'd take a look at the coop section to get an idea of how other people built walk-in coops. Mine is raised, so I can't give good advice for building a walk-in structure. Or, maybe try googling sheds & small outdoor structures for construction advice. I basically figured out how to build a coop just by looking at a LOT of other people's coops that were similar to what I was envisioning. Once you get the framing figured out the rest is much easier. As long as it is structurally sound and predator proof there is no "right" way to do things - just do what works for you with the materials you have.

That said - it sounds like you're basically framing out a small shed minus the floor for the coop? If that's the case then make sure to bury an apron of hardware cloth all around the base of the coop. Otherwise predators will just dig under the frame right into your coop. Or, I've seen some people use electric fencing around the coop, but I don't know how to do that (others could tell you).

Good luck!!
 
I'd go with trated wood for any parts that touch the ground, and just paint or stain everything else to weatherproof it. In the coop I would put insulation in the sealing to keep the heat down a bit when using a tin roof. I don't know where you're located, but with 16' of width and 7' being the max height, I'd go with 6' on the sides and 7' in the middle, unless you get a lot o snow which would either require a steeper roof or very strong supports for the roof. One idea would be to dig out the bottom of the run to give a bit more clearance, but don't do that if the area is in a low spot, because then the run will gather any excess water in the area.
 
ok. So I think I have a plan kinda sorta.
I was going to go east west with the coop but due to the clearance issue I am going to go north south. That eliminates the clearance problem.
I borrowed this from a coop page I liked.
I am thinking this shape will work well for the end walls.
Mine would be reversed when looking from the north side. Total height can now be 9 to 10 feet allowing me to raise the coop for more run space and to prevent unwanted squatters. ie: the mice and garden snakes.

I do get a fair amount of snow here in Colorado. I think I will need to add some gutters to direct it away when it melts.
Coops new dimensions are 16' x 6' with a 28 foot run length including the 6' under the coop.
I know that is a really long run to try and roof. I think I will take it to 8' off the front of the coop and then do a drop down of a foot or so more.
I have been thinking about how do I get to a chicken or eggs that are under the coop and for that I will have hinged panels that I can open. I will still have a skirt and the panels will flip down on top of the skirt. Hard to describe what I have in mind.
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