New to building coops..need advice from the seasoned chicken owners!

[rangehen]

I always use white, exterior grade, semi-gloss paint on interior walls. The semi-gloss is scrubbable and white makes it easy to spot if mites or other creepy-crawlies have invaded the coop. I also caulk all joints and seams to remove as many hiding spots for mites as possible.

I use scrap vinyl for floors but always paint or stain under it for added moisture protection for the wood. I don’t glue the vinyl, just nail it along the edges - it’s not made with chicken scratching in mind and will eventually wear out, even with deeper bedding. All surfaces, inside and out, have at least 3-4 coats of paint, varnish, or other wood sealer before use - I want that wood protected!

 

[aart]

The drawing was on crappy notebook paper sorry.

The paper doesn't matter....as long as things are proportional with all dimensions needed.
You could use 2 of the nests for feed and water space.

Not sure about painting the plastic roofing, painting plastic can be tricky and it's really ugly if it doesn't stick and starts to chip and peel. Might ask at the HD paint department for advice.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there

 

[CherG07]

I always use white, exterior grade, semi-gloss paint on interior walls. The semi-gloss is scrubbable and white makes it easy to spot if mites or other creepy-crawlies have invaded the coop. I also caulk all joints and seams to remove as many hiding spots for mites as possible.

I use scrap vinyl for floors but always paint or stain under it for added moisture protection for the wood. I don’t glue the vinyl, just nail it along the edges - it’s not made with chicken scratching in mind and will eventually wear out, even with deeper bedding. All surfaces, inside and out, have at least 3-4 coats of paint, varnish, or other wood sealer before use - I want that wood protected!

White would have drove me nuts with how much yuck I’d get to see. I did go with a very bright color though, squash blossom yellow. The whole inside will be done in that color and I haven’t decided yet if I want to use the yellow or Living Stream blue for the main exterior. Blue body with yellow trim or vise versa. Right now my chickens are in an old aviary with access to my garden. I was supposed to build this in May but my husband got sick and the funds haven’t been the same since. BUT now I have a job (I was a stay at home mom) and my husband got a job offer making more money yay! I’ve been sitting on these plans for what seems like forever!!! I never thought about calking but I have plenty! I love DE so I will be using it on the coop floors under the bedding. I’m so ready and excited for our babies (not so much babies anymore) to have a real home! And yes, lots of coats of paint. Here’s the progress. I’m waiting for paint to dry so I can do another. This is the back and front wall frames, and then the legs and floor supports. I haven’t painted the 8 footers yet I have to do those outside bc our garage is a mess.

 

[CherG07]

View attachment 1907705

I always use white, exterior grade, semi-gloss paint on interior walls. The semi-gloss is scrubbable and white makes it easy to spot if mites or other creepy-crawlies have invaded the coop. I also caulk all joints and seams to remove as many hiding spots for mites as possible.

I use scrap vinyl for floors but always paint or stain under it for added moisture protection for the wood. I don’t glue the vinyl, just nail it along the edges - it’s not made with chicken scratching in mind and will eventually wear out, even with deeper bedding. All surfaces, inside and out, have at least 3-4 coats of paint, varnish, or other wood sealer before use - I want that wood protected!

White would have drove me nuts with how much yuck I’d get to see. I did go with a very bright color though, squash blossom yellow. The whole inside will be done in that color and I haven’t decided yet if I want to use the yellow or Living Stream blue for the main exterior. Blue body with yellow trim or vise versa. Right now my chickens are in an old aviary with access to my garden. I was supposed to build this in May but my husband got sick and the funds haven’t been the same since. BUT now I have a job (I was a stay at home mom) and my husband got a job offer making more money yay! I’ve been sitting on these plans for what seems like forever!!! I never thought about calking but I have plenty! I love DE so I will be using it on the coop floors under the bedding. I’m so ready and excited for our babies (not so much babies anymore) to have a real home! And yes, lots of coats of paint. Here’s the progress. I’m waiting for paint to dry so I can do another. This is the back and front wall frames, and then the legs and floor supports. I haven’t painted the 8 footers yet I have to do those outside bc our garage is a mess.

 

[CherG07]

The paper doesn't matter....as long as things are proportional with all dimensions needed.
You could use 2 of the nests for feed and water space.

Not sure about painting the plastic roofing, painting plastic can be tricky and it's really ugly if it doesn't stick and starts to chip and peel. Might ask at the HD paint department for advice.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there
View attachment 1907663

I’m in Texas. I can ask Home Depot for advice. I could also take a scrap piece and put the paint to the test. I’d paint the underside of the roofing so the elements don’t get to it. I did go in and make that location change. Great idea on the nestbox use!!! I’ll use one side for the food and water then My three girls aren’t going to need all 8 right now anyway and I can go ahead and change the plans to where the dividers are removable.

 

[aart]

I’d paint the underside of the roofing so the elements don’t get to it.

That might help...but still.
Why do you need to paint it?

 

[CherG07]

That might help...but still.
Why do you need to paint it?

It’s clear and see through. The coop is going to be in the shade but I figured they wouldn’t feel as secure with the roof and tops of the nest boxes being see through If it doesn’t mater then I won’t paint it.

 

[rangehen]

It’s clear and see through. The coop is going to be in the shade but I figured they wouldn’t feel as secure with the roof and tops of the nest boxes being see through If it doesn’t mater then I won’t paint it.

I’d be more concerned with it becoming an oven in the summertime...

 

[CherG07]

I’d be more concerned with it becoming an oven in the summertime...

I worry about that too. It gets so hot here. The location is shaded the entire day though and it gets a nice cross breeze. I have a wireless weather monitor already being used. I plan to mount it in the coop. It’s a little white box that sends readings to a tablet type thing in our bedroom which hangs on the wall. It tells us the temp, humidity, if it’s raining or sunny ect. If it gets too hot my husband is handy and can make some window fans to mount outside of the vent windows. Do you think leaving it clear and not painting the roofing will make it hotter?

 

[aart]

Gonna want lots of open ventilation in Texas.
Did you look into hot weather coops when planning your design?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/74002793/?q=hot+weather+coops&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1