Please help me expand my coop properly

[3KillerBs]

unless you're planning to cut a wider roll of HC lengthwise, which is a chore - but an angle grinder makes that easier if you have access to one.

These are inexpensive as tools go and make cutting both hardware cloth and metal roofing a breeze -- and I'm a short woman with arthritis in my wrists.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...hears/18-gauge-35-amp-metal-shears-61737.html

(Don't get these, because they take a kerf and would salt your yard with bits of metal).

I'd either get some pressure-treated 2x4s to install on the bottom, or elevate it on something like cinder block cap stones before doing the skirt.

Which would have the added benefit of keeping the run litter from spilling through the wire.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Most people make skirts 18-24" wide when laid flat on the ground for the grass to grow through them. For burying vertical wire most people go for 12". You can do it either way.

Thank you for all the helpful advice and visuals! Really helps a newbie like me.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

I'll second the roof angle being bad. Any coop runoff is going to drain to your foundation. Any chance you can flip the coop and run so the roof angles away from the house?

Ah, I see. Does it matter if that is my garage and not my house? It's the back of my garage, which is on cement. Will that damage the garage?

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you for all the helpful advice and visuals! Really helps a newbie like me.

Here's a diagram of the kind of airflow you're looking for:

And here is a photo of my big coop that shows the skirt in place:

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Re-reading through things, I would consider elevating the coop, or at least get it away from being in direct contact with the ground. Mainly this is because of the questionable quality of lumber I'd assume they use on those pre-fab coops, and I'd be concerned of it rotting away sooner than later. I'd either get some pressure-treated 2x4s to install on the bottom, or elevate it on something like cinder block cap stones before doing the skirt.

Good thinking! The quality of the wood is certainly questionable. Okay, I'll say it... it's very cheap!

So if I do the treated 2x4s underneath, I could just do that around the edge and put it on the ground? And if I elevate it on blocks, could I just drill a large piece of plywood to the bottom of the current construction of the coop?

Just trying to decide what's best. I don't have any woodworking experience.

 

[perkolator]

If you have a means, do the PT lumber. It will resist rotting on the ground and from any moist bedding in contact with it. It will also add much strength to the 2x2 lumber, and provide a good anchor point for any plywood and HC skirting. Will also add extra height to contain deep bedding

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't have any woodworking experience.

In this case, setting it on blocks is likely to be the easiest for you.

If you can, try to recruit some help that has handyman experience and appropriate tools.

Buy solid blocks in a size you can handle and elevate the coop 8-12" so that the litter can stay down inside the concrete perimeter instead of sitting against the wood of the coop frame.

This is a basic concrete block of the type I'm thinking of.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Standard-C...al-3-625-in-x-7-625-in-x-15-625-in/1000559579

Garden blocks are a little more expensive but are intended to be easy to handle for beginners.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Basic-Gray...on-4-in-x-12-in-Actual-4-in-x-11-5-in/3010068

https://www.lowes.com/pd/4x8-Hard-S...mon-4-in-x-8-in-Actual-4-in-x-8-in/5005414279

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

In this case, setting it on blocks is likely to be the easiest for you.

If you can, try to recruit some help that has handyman experience and appropriate tools.

Buy solid blocks in a size you can handle and elevate the coop 8-12" so that the litter can stay down inside the concrete perimeter instead of sitting against the wood of the coop frame.

This is a basic concrete block of the type I'm thinking of.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Standard-C...al-3-625-in-x-7-625-in-x-15-625-in/1000559579

Garden blocks are a little more expensive but are intended to be easy to handle for beginners.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Basic-Gray...on-4-in-x-12-in-Actual-4-in-x-11-5-in/3010068

https://www.lowes.com/pd/4x8-Hard-S...mon-4-in-x-8-in-Actual-4-in-x-8-in/5005414279

Thank you! Right now I'm between either raising it on blocks or putting it on pretreated 2x4s. My dad has some woodworking experience so I will discuss with him what would be the best option for our skills and the tools my husband and I have at home.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you! Right now I'm between either raising it on blocks or putting it on pretreated 2x4s. My dad has some woodworking experience so I will discuss with him what would be the best option for our skills and the tools my husband and I have at home.

Sounds great!

 

[MadGardener]

Ah, I see. Does it matter if that is my garage and not my house? It's the back of my garage, which is on cement. Will that damage the garage?

Eventually water will destroy all structures. Anything you can do to divert it is advisable. If you swapped the run and coop locations that would be an easy fix. And before you make the coop heavier and install HC apron is the time to consider.