New Coop and Run

[TexasEggRancher]

Well , finally getting started on the new Coop and Run. It's modeled after a Carolina Coop. The whole thing will be 6' x 14' with a gable roof. The coop section will be 4' x 6' raised 3 1/2' off the ground. Going to put a roof the whole length of the coop/run and have laying boxes/nests that we can access from the outside of the coop.Plan on housing 5-6 egg laying chickens. Going to use 1/2" squared hardware cloth. I will try to add pictures as I get farther along. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Very nice! Looks like you're off to a great start!

 

[TexasEggRancher]

Slowly getting there , will be putting the roof on next weekend.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I do have some ideas here; your structure is very nice!
Having a solid roof is the best, for shade, and protection. Wide roof overhangs are better, can you still add them? More shade in summer, and weather protection.
Lots of ventilation is really Important, so having a big hardware covered window, or an open side, on your 'coop' area, will be good.
Consider the whole thing a coop!!! If it's built predator proof, it will be. In cold weather, doubled rolled plastic over the north and west sides at least , and part of the east side, will make it cozy.
Consider 2"x4" woven wire over the hardware cloth on the lower three or four feet of the structure. Extra safe!
Will you be moving it? Protection from digging predators needs to be done somehow.
Insulating the roof helps with summer heat, and shade plantings matter too.
Mary

 

[Wolfgang B.]

Love it so far!
Eventually I want to build a coop/run myself, feeling very inspired by your pictures!
I have one question: are these concrete bases 100% not going to sink into the ground? Because it seems to be such a smart way to do it, almost too easy to be true!

 

[TexasEggRancher]

Welcome! I do have some ideas here; your structure is very nice!
Having a solid roof is the best, for shade, and protection. Wide roof overhangs are better, can you still add them? More shade in summer, and weather protection.
Lots of ventilation is really Important, so having a big hardware covered window, or an open side, on your 'coop' area, will be good.
Consider the whole thing a coop!!! If it's built predator proof, it will be. In cold weather, doubled rolled plastic over the north and west sides at least , and part of the east side, will make it cozy.
Consider 2"x4" woven wire over the hardware cloth on the lower three or four feet of the structure. Extra safe!
Will you be moving it? Protection from digging predators needs to be done somehow.
Insulating the roof helps with summer heat, and shade plantings matter too.
Mary

Thanks for the advice Mary , and I do plan on incorporating some of your ideas in the build. I will keep yall posted on the progress.

 

[TexasEggRancher]

Love it so far!
Eventually I want to build a coop/run myself, feeling very inspired by your pictures!
I have one question: are these concrete bases 100% not going to sink into the ground? Because it seems to be such a smart way to do it, almost too easy to be true!

Thanks for the compliments Wolfgang B. , As far as the blocks not ever sinking , I doubt they will always stay perfect , but I can always re-level the structure as needed.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

View attachment 1278567 View attachment 1278568 Well , finally getting started on the new Coop and Run. It's modeled after a Carolina Coop. The whole thing will be 6' x 14' with a gable roof. The coop section will be 4' x 6' raised 3 1/2' off the ground. Going to put a roof the whole length of the coop/run and have laying boxes/nests that we can access from the outside of the coop.Plan on housing 5-6 egg laying chickens. Going to use 1/2" squared hardware cloth. I will try to add pictures as I get farther along. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Wolfgang B.]

Thanks for the compliments Wolfgang B. , As far as the blocks not ever sinking , I doubt they will always stay perfect , but I can always re-level the structure as needed.

Right! Looking forward to more progress pictures!

 

[TexasEggRancher]

A few more pics of the progress , picked up the sheet metal for the roof. Hope to start painting this weekend . Still need to build doors, windows , and install hardware cloth.