New guy here. Need help on coop

[3KillerBs]

Thoughts?

I agree with the issue of the dimensions creating waste since building materials all come in multiples of 4 feet. If you go up to 6 feet there's less waste for the framing lumber because you can cut a 12-foot board in half to get 6 feet, but you still have waste in your sheet material.

You're going to need a LOT more roof overhang and/or large awnings to protect the windows from rain. I lost count of how many hurricanes and tropical storms North Carolina had last year (5?), and you need to be able to keep out blowing rain. (Maybe the trimmings from the siding sheets can be used to construct awnings?)

Remember, dry chickens are healthy chickens!

I read in Woods coop design that if you use 1/4 in hardware cloth that rain isn’t that big of a deal. I could Be wrong. Any adjustments besides size? It’s hot down here so I’m trying to have as much as an open air coop as I can

The Woods Coop is a great design for cold climates, but isn't truly appropriate for the blistering summer heat of the Steamy Southeast. You need a lot more cross-coop airflow at 95F+ with 95%+ humidity.

 

[JesusFreak824]

Oh ok so now I’m completely confused. Thought that I needed open air for humidity and heat. How does one do that (have windows) and also keep dry and cool...?!

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh ok so now I’m completely confused. Thought that I needed open air for humidity and heat. How does one do that (have windows) and also keep dry and cool...?!

Have you looked at this coop? https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/texas-coop-build-pic-heavy.1371038/

@cmom is in Florida and her coops have big awnings over the windows to keep the rain out: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-duplex-coop.75942/

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh ok so now I’m completely confused. Thought that I needed open air for humidity and heat. How does one do that (have windows) and also keep dry and cool...?!

The problem with Woods Coops in hot climates is that they're long and narrow (the proportions were mathematically calculated), with the narrow end wire -- giving that air cushion @aart mentioned in the winter. But in Florida you never get cold enough to need to restrict airflow that way.

 

[JesusFreak824]

Have you looked at this coop? https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/texas-coop-build-pic-heavy.1371038/

@cmom is in Florida and her coops have big awnings over the windows to keep the rain out: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-duplex-coop.75942/

So it’s ok if they have cross winds blowing on them? I thought it needed to be above their heads. Sounds to me like I need an A frame coop. And that concept is nice but I’m in the middle of town and can’t go much bigger than a 6x8

 

[Sally PB]

I’m on a similar forum for Bonsai trees and y’all are sooo helpful and kind in comparison.

Really? Bonsai tree people are mean? "Why" is the word that comes to mind....

Anyway, ask any questions you need to. We were all new at this at one point.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So it’s ok if they have cross winds blowing on them? I thought it needed to be above their heads. Sounds to me like I need an A frame coop. And that concept is nice but I’m in the middle of town and can’t go much bigger than a 6x8

I think the over their heads and not blowing on them is more important in cold areas. In winter we can get to -20F here with howling winds.

In your area that won't be an issue.

I would think you could go with a 3 sided structure and they would do fine.

That said if you are needing them closed in so roaming predators don't get to them then a predator proof run along with the 3 sided structure should do.

 

[aart]

Oh ok so now I’m completely confused. Thought that I needed open air for humidity and heat.

The 'open air' part of the Woods name often creates confusion amongst those that don't fully research and understand the 'Woods Concept.'

How does one do that (have windows) and also keep dry and cool...?!

Very large(12-18") roof overhangs, both can create shade and protect open windows/vents.

 

[3KillerBs]

So it’s ok if they have cross winds blowing on them? I thought it needed to be above their heads. Sounds to me like I need an A frame coop. And that concept is nice but I’m in the middle of town and can’t go much bigger than a 6x8

In Florida it doesn't get cold enough to be an issue, just have a protected area where they can get out of the wind if they want to.

For us southerners it's the summer heat that's the problem.

 

[saysfaa]

The version/adaptation of Wood's coop stays dry in winter because only one side is open - the wind can't blow in because it has no where to go; it can only blow in if it also blows out on one of the other sides. I'm not sure how dry they stay in summer when the side windows are open.

Woods' has a hot weather version also. He gave an example of one he recommended for that climate that was located in the deep south... south Texas, I think, or south Mississippi, something like that. It was all hardware cloth on all four sides. The intro in one of his books days his ideal was to let the chickens roost in trees, even in New England. If I remember right- even in winter in New England. Except for the risk from predators. Anyway, he wasn't in the hot climate but he had a lot of contact/correspondence with people from such places (editor of publications or higher up in poultry organizations or something like that).

I think it is that getting wet isn't that much of a problem - it is staying wet that is a problem but I don't remember if Woods said that. I have half a memory of the roof on the warm weather version being large enough to give roosts in the middle protection, if not necessarily complete driness... Sorry, I wasn't paying much attention to the warm weather versions. I read them because it was interesting but not studied them to use the info myself.