Our new coop! (more pics added 07/21)!!!! (added window)

[kysilkies]

This is what we have so far...It's our first and we're struggling

over the best interior design(i.e. wallpaper, drapes, etc....LOL j/k but where best to put water, nesting boxes and such)...

The run will come off of right side as pictured, not positive of size but it will be plenty big and predator proof(as we can make it)...We used 4x4 posts put 16" in the ground for main support, it's very heavy...

It measures(inside measurements) 40"w x 90"l x 41"h = lowest interior point on left side(high is 46")

Side walls are temporarily attached(for inside access, front and back are permanent but can be cut into easily for hatches and such...

Also, we used particle board as the floor, what should cover that with?...

Thank you so much in advance

this site has been a life saver, our newest chick would say "LITERALLY!"

 

[kysilkies]

Lil help!?!?

 

[Boondachs]

my $.02 put the waterer and feeder in a corner away from the main pop door. Mine keep running into them and spilling

.

 

[kcfuerst]

My suggestion would be to take a look at photos of what others have made in your size category. There are some very creative ideas out there and from those you can make what will suit your needs best.

How many birds are you planning to have? What kind/size of run will you need for them?

My hen house is large enough for me to walk around inside so was planned for me to spend time inside with my girls.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
I like it when I see more ppl from KY here.
check out my page for some inside pictures.

Omran

 

[kysilkies]

We have 3 now, looking for 6-8 max, all bantams(so we say)...

Run will be 8'l x 8'w x 2'h or 4'h...

I've been looking at other pics since posting and am starting to get some ideas...

Thoughts on raising food and water off of main floor a few inches(on shelf)?....Seems like it would keep it cleaner longer, just wasn't sure how practical it was...

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

hang feeder and waterer close to people door (from one of the rafters) to make them easier to fill, ie: close enough to retrieve/replace them without going inside...

i'd put nest boxes along the short wall...the type which stick out of the coop would be best IMO but i'd have put a bigger overhang on the roof for those...less worry about rain leaking in then. still, should be ok if you make sure the hinged edge is sealed properly.

roosts can go nearer to the tall wall...people door in the end as pictured (make sure it opens out, not into the coop).

0.02

 

[kysilkies]

Quote:
Thank you as I'm sure that was worth way more than .02 in saved time and aggravation...

My only thoughts with the nesting boxes sticking out is the winters, I would have to insulate them making them very large...I like the idea of using the short wall for them, we were only planning 3 boxes and that would seem to split them into the perfect sized boxes!...

I was thinking of making the entire side facing the camera a door to keep the framing needed to a minimum, it's a very heavy coop and if I overkill it with heavy duty hinges, I think that will work...


Our idea for their access...Since the floor of coup is less than a foot off of ground, we thought about a door that would flap open and down creating their ramp at the same time...Due to height off ground I think it should be a reasonable size...I was going to use a latch at the top that basically locks when shut(like on some chain link fence gates), again to keep framing and hardware to as minimum as possible but ensure security...

I bought 2 flat white metal 8" x 16" vents..They have mesh under the louvers to keep in/out whatever, should those be enough is placed on both ends?...Or would one suffice?...We have brutally hot/humid stagnate summers(1-2mths of year, never wind when hot) and usually mild(precipitation wise, this year was fluke and had 2 week ice storm), but COLD winters...We have heat lamp we used for brooder to go in there if needed...

I also didn't want to insulate inside and use tyvex under some type of heavy duty high R-value siding(wood, brick, vinyl)...Thoughts?!??!

And thanx to all offering input, we're just overly excited and honestly, want to learn from other's mistakes and not have to do but so much twice(we're sure it's inevitable for one part or another), but we promise to share all we learn!

 

[SpunkyTheMonkey]

Quote:
personally i don't think you'd need to, even in a climate where you'd choose to insulate the coop...exactly how cold are your winters?

Quote:
sounds good but don't forget to start the ramp hole some way from the bottom so you have a lip to keep the shavings in...if you're going to use DLM make sure it starts even higher. you wouldn't be the first ones to get bitten that way.

Quote:
put them both on for sure. plus a window if you can manage it. really.

Quote:
no need IMO.

 

[Judy]

You can paint the floor or cover it with a scrap of linoleum. Most people find linoleum easiest to deal with.

Here are a couple of sites to look over, if you haven't already:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

Patandchickens has gobs of very informative posts in this section of BYC.