Preliminary coop/shed plans

[HopeSprings]

I’m planning on combining my coop with a shed. The nest boxes will be inside the shed with lift lids to gather eggs without going into the coop. The windows will be pretty much facing north, east and south, allowing for light and ventilation. We see temps in the low 90s here rather infrequently and I plan to let my chickens free range as much as possible.
I’ve ordered 17 chicks (minimum was 15 and I chose 8 varieties, plus a freebie). I’ll see how many make it to adulthood!
Would appreciate any input from experienced coop builders! Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

View attachment 1669278 View attachment 1669278 View attachment 1669279 View attachment 1669280 View attachment 1669281 View attachment 1669278 I’m planning on combining my coop with a shed. The nest boxes will be inside the shed with lift lids to gather eggs without going into the coop. The windows will be pretty much facing north, east and south, allowing for light and ventilation. We see temps in the low 90s here rather infrequently and I plan to let my chickens free range as much as possible.
I’ve ordered 17 chicks (minimum was 15 and I chose 8 varieties, plus a freebie). I’ll see how many make it to adulthood!
Would appreciate any input from experienced coop builders! Thanks!

What is the run width, 8x??
Do you have any ventilation up high?

 

[HopeSprings]

What is the run width, 8x??
Do you have any ventilation up high?

The run is 8' x 12'. The window on the south wall (wall with double doors) will be set higher to let heat out. It's really pretty mild here in the mountains in the summer.

 

[DobieLover]

The coop is a reasonable size for 17 chickens. Your run will be too small. I know you said you want to free range them as much as possible but there will be many times where you will need to confine them. Can you go out 16 feet out with it instead?
Trust me. You will never regret making it bigger.

 

[HopeSprings]

The coop is a reasonable size for 17 chickens. Your run will be too small. I know you said you want to free range them as much as possible but there will be many times where you will need to confine them. Can you go out 16 feet out with it instead?
Trust me. You will never regret making it bigger.

Thanks, shouldn't be a problem making it bigger!

 

[aart]

I saw those section arrows and fell in love a little bit.
I'm an old drafter.
But lacking some(a lot of) dimensions

Shed is 16x12?
What is the 'shelf' marked in red?
Could be a good poop board under more roost length than the 'perch' you have shown which may not be enough for 17 birds.

Is this an existing shed?
What will be stored in the shed?
Will wall between coop and shed be solid or mesh(other than the nests and mandoor)?
Why is pop door up high?
Not sure how high as no dimensions.
I think the coop portion might be a bit tight at 5'.
Run could be bigger too, as already mentioned.
Will run be covered with solid roof?

Here some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[HopeSprings]

I saw those section arrows and fell in love a little bit.
I'm an old drafter.
But lacking some(a lot of) dimensions

Shed is 16x12?
What is the 'shelf' marked in red?
Could be a good poop board under more roost length than the 'perch' you have shown which may not be enough for 17 birds.
View attachment 1670071

Is this an existing shed?
What will be stored in the shed?
Will wall between coop and shed be solid or mesh(other than the nests and mandoor)?
Why is pop door up high?
Not sure how high as no dimensions.
I think the coop portion might be a bit tight at 5'.
Run could be bigger too, as already mentioned.
Will run be covered with solid roof?

Here some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

This is just what I am looking for! Thank you for your input!
I thought the pop door elevated to the level of the nest boxes would help keep the inside less accessible to wildlife. I decided to put the coop door in the shed, making it harder for anything to get in.
I had planned, when I ordered the chicks, to rehome the extras, figuring on keeping one each of the 8 varieties. (Best laid plans of mice and men ...!). If there's no catwalk in front of the nest boxes, should the front of the boxes be open? Then I can add another perch just in front with room between the two perches.
This is a new shed. I need a shed for a mower and my garden tools. The wall between will be solid as I would like the coop to be undisturbed by anything going on in the shed.
I'm thinking a shed roof, 9' in front, 6' in back. I have an old barn with a metal roof; hope to be able to put it to use. Have to consult with my contractor yet.
The run will be covered with the extension of the shed/coop roof. I'm planning on free-ranging as much as possible -- it's the style here! (I live with a Plott bear hound, so bears, etc., are scarce around here. When company comes to visit, I take them into Asheville to see bears!)
Oh, and I'm thinking I might need a concrete floor for the mower. Would that work better than plywood for the coop?

 

[aart]

Oh, and I'm thinking I might need a concrete floor for the mower. Would that work better than plywood for the coop?

Concrete would be fine for coop floor, impenetrable to predators.
You'll want wall between shed and coop to be pretty much air tight,
fumes from gas engines and dust from chickens.

You can put a perch in front of nest bank....or if nests are low enough, no need for a perch.