New coop, questions/advice on layout

[jlbpooh]

I am in full swing of building my new coop almost completely by myself, I am very proud. The walls are up and sheeted, the windows are hung. The floor will be replaceable, but is Advantex that will be painted. (Advantex has a 50 year guarantee against swelling and rotting, someone we know has had some in a bucket with water for 2 years and still has not swelled). It will be 10x20 right next to my 6x6 coop. I am planning on expanding my pen to 20x30 feet, but will have a partition in the pen with a door that can be opened so I can divide it in half when/if needed. Most of the materials are being recycled from collecting bits and pieces all summer. It will even have vinyl siding which is costing me nothing. I want to put a section for supplies (bedding, feed, cleaning tools, etc.) and then have an area permanently designated as a brooder and nursery. I currently only have 7 guineas that are 18 weeks old and 2 cockerels and 2 pullets that range in age from 20 to 40 weeks. Would you build a permanent "infirmery" area for sick/injured birds in the coop as well, or just use a 24x48 inch wire dog kennel for that purpose that can be put up and taken down as needed in the coop? How large would you recommend the brooder/nursery area? My brooder in the house was 4x4 feet and my nursery area in the coop this summer was 3x6 by 5 feet tall. I do not have power running out there right now, but I have 2 100' outdoor extension cords that can be run as needed. Any other suggestions of things you wish you had done differently when you built your coops?

 

[jubylives]

One quick question. What state do you live in and what are you planning on using for the roof? That's a large structure and having mostly framing experience it got me to thinking.

Someone's DH
Jeremy

 

[jlbpooh]

I live in South Carolina. I was going to put a metal roof on with some opaque panels to allow light in, but reflect the heat. Our friend is a contractor that builds metal buildings for a living, he advised me how to frame the roof. He said he was going to come to our house and sit in the coop if there was ever a tornado. He said I have built it like a brick wall. The soffits are going to be covered with window screen and then hardware cloth to allow good ventilation, and still keep bugs, bees, etc. out. That is the way I have them in my current coop and it works great.

 

[jubylives]

So you don't get much snow there. I always shudder when I see huge structures and the care given in building the walls but not much goes into the roof. The forces on a roof are very much different then walls.

Jeremy