I, being new to the chicken game, found the purina mills coop design on the web, it was a free download. I am by no means a carpenter, but mechanically inclined so I figured if I take my time and In-list some help on the bigger parts of the job I could get this done before my chickens arrive and need to be in it.I found the supplied instructions to be a bit confusing and had to rely on the pictures along with some common sense. I have now completed the build and will add some final touches to pretty it up, along with some stain. 
The Above Picture is the Start of the pile of wood and stuff that will turn into the coop.
This is the side that will receive the coop boxes, I was going to modify it and put 4 instead of just 3 but according to the plans this can house up to 8 full size chickens. We are only getting six.
The trained eye may see some blemishes in the workmanship but as I said I am no carpenter. For any one choosing this coop, I used 3/4 ply all the way around and I would suggest making your own measurements then relying on the spec's sheet. The coop turns out to be wider than what they note, and I would suggest putting in a temporary 2x4 across the top before sheeting to make sure it stays square. They sure designed it to be solid, I could stand on it and climb around in it no problem (I actually did jump around on it and had to climb over it before the roof was on, something about leaving a tool inside after sheeting it.).
I will submit more when I get the pictures taken.
This is a picture of the venting a long the roof line.
This is the side release door. I still need the ramp so they can leave it is 12x12, I think I may need another latch so the racoons can't get in...(Any suggestions?).
This is the nest boxes from the outside as you can see I have added some extra braces to the sides due to the mounting seemed a little under scale and the boxes were pulling away under its own weight. I still need to figure out a latch system to hold it closed and to hold open when collecting eggs, and I will also put some roofing on it for water run-off.
This is the clean-out door, I changed it from the way they want you to do it by making it open up instead of down. It makes sense to pull the 'crap' out to the wheel barrel instead of across the door and to the ground. I have hydraulic struts from a vehicle that I will mount to the sides to hold it up when cleaning and to offer assistance when opening. The hinges I had to bolt through otherwise the hinges will fall apart over time or rip out of the wood, screws are strong but not strong enough for repetitive motions with weight -so I'm told. The 2 2x4's laying there will be the stoop bars, I have to go get some dowels. The diagram does not tell you how wide they need to be so I just got in there and made a decision based on: 1, I made it swing up for cleaning. 2, I want some space to put a small feeder and waterer. 3, the fact that i will only have 6 birds.
This is the window in the roof and the vent line, I had an old window kicking around from another project that I commandeered for the skylight. I will put some clear plastic roofing over top after painting so I don't have to seal the glass or worry about water leaks.
Here is the coop boxes, I think I will put a strap 2x4 along the bottom for them to climb on to get up, because it seems to be a long way up.
Last but not least, These are my new birds. Just got them today, Guess I have to make sure all is ready for them to transfer to the new digs.
The Above Picture is the Start of the pile of wood and stuff that will turn into the coop.
This is the side that will receive the coop boxes, I was going to modify it and put 4 instead of just 3 but according to the plans this can house up to 8 full size chickens. We are only getting six.
The trained eye may see some blemishes in the workmanship but as I said I am no carpenter. For any one choosing this coop, I used 3/4 ply all the way around and I would suggest making your own measurements then relying on the spec's sheet. The coop turns out to be wider than what they note, and I would suggest putting in a temporary 2x4 across the top before sheeting to make sure it stays square. They sure designed it to be solid, I could stand on it and climb around in it no problem (I actually did jump around on it and had to climb over it before the roof was on, something about leaving a tool inside after sheeting it.).
I will submit more when I get the pictures taken.
This is a picture of the venting a long the roof line.
This is the side release door. I still need the ramp so they can leave it is 12x12, I think I may need another latch so the racoons can't get in...(Any suggestions?).
This is the nest boxes from the outside as you can see I have added some extra braces to the sides due to the mounting seemed a little under scale and the boxes were pulling away under its own weight. I still need to figure out a latch system to hold it closed and to hold open when collecting eggs, and I will also put some roofing on it for water run-off.
This is the clean-out door, I changed it from the way they want you to do it by making it open up instead of down. It makes sense to pull the 'crap' out to the wheel barrel instead of across the door and to the ground. I have hydraulic struts from a vehicle that I will mount to the sides to hold it up when cleaning and to offer assistance when opening. The hinges I had to bolt through otherwise the hinges will fall apart over time or rip out of the wood, screws are strong but not strong enough for repetitive motions with weight -so I'm told. The 2 2x4's laying there will be the stoop bars, I have to go get some dowels. The diagram does not tell you how wide they need to be so I just got in there and made a decision based on: 1, I made it swing up for cleaning. 2, I want some space to put a small feeder and waterer. 3, the fact that i will only have 6 birds.
This is the window in the roof and the vent line, I had an old window kicking around from another project that I commandeered for the skylight. I will put some clear plastic roofing over top after painting so I don't have to seal the glass or worry about water leaks.
Here is the coop boxes, I think I will put a strap 2x4 along the bottom for them to climb on to get up, because it seems to be a long way up.
Last but not least, These are my new birds. Just got them today, Guess I have to make sure all is ready for them to transfer to the new digs.
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I expected the wood to cost a lot more based on what I have read on here, so I was happily surprised.
