Question about Flooring

[Feranix]

Now that I am home from work here are some pictures. I was told the people who lived here before me had 16-18 chickens in it.

I know it needs more ventilation.

ignore the grass. the belt broke for our blades

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wow that is nice and roomy. I think Black Jack should do fine on the floor if you want to go that route, though I'd check the gaps in the floor boards to make sure they're 1/2" or less. What did you want to do with the walls? I was expecting just studs but they look pretty decent so if you're wanting to paint them, I don't see why you couldn't just paint it as is.

I can see why it'd be an issue to run electric, that'd take a few extension cords. Maybe talk to an electrician and get a quote? Maybe it's not as expensive as I fear.

Other than ventilation, the one thing I'd be concerned with is if the roof drips condensation. I assume that's a metal roof?

 

[Feranix]

Wow that is nice and roomy. I think Black Jack should do fine on the floor if you want to go that route, though I'd check the gaps in the floor boards to make sure they're 1/2" or less. What did you want to do with the walls? I was expecting just studs but they look pretty decent so if you're wanting to paint them, I don't see why you couldn't just paint it as is.

I can see why it'd be an issue to run electric, that'd take a few extension cords. Maybe talk to an electrician and get a quote? Maybe it's not as expensive as I fear.

Other than ventilation, the one thing I'd be concerned with is if the roof drips condensation. I assume that's a metal roof?

I'll look into blackjack. do you know if the cheapest white blackjack is $92-98? I've done some research on it from posts here and that's what I've found. As for walls I wanted to put an inside wall to make it look nicer because I didnt like how it was just a frame with an outside wall. If you dont think it's necessary I wont and will just paint it as is.

I was gonna ask my dad to help me with electricity. He ran electrical wires out to his shed at their house. I want to do so underground wires. Just to keep the yard looking nice and if I decide to sell it'll be a nice feature.

The roof is metal and so far I don't think it drips. It's pretty dry in there. I'll find out for sure tomorrow because we are supposed to get some storms.

Any tips on ventilation? I wanna put a window on the back wall behind the fences in area. Then there's the doors for the chickens and the hole above the door. do you think I need it anywhere else?

Maybe I'll be able to get chickens sooner than I expected lol

 

[rosemarythyme]

The "white" Black Jack is a different product than the #57 (which is black) and yes it's about twice as costly. 5 gal of $57 is about $50 or so. I don't know how well the white stuff performs compared to the black one, or what differences there might be other than the color.

With the walls I would just make sure they're indeed solid (they look to be) and that there's no gaps or cracks that need fixing, and then yeah, I'd probably just paint directly on that.

With the roof you probably won't know until fall, maybe winter, if it has a condensation dripping issue - it's from humidity that builds up inside, rises, collects on the ceiling, and drips back down. Metal roofs can be prone to that.

I personally like a lot of ventilation - I have 3x more than the minimum recommended and I still feel like I could use more. Windows are good for both light and ventilation but one of the best places to add ventilation is around the roof and roof line - gable vents, soffit vents, under eave vents - as you want hotter, humid air in winter to be able to escape. So take a look up to see if there's places where you can add vents.

 

[True Patriot]

Interlocking tiles for garage floors are nearly indestructible. But pricey. There are textured deck paints. Also very durable. For the walls. Paneling is relatively inexpensive. Comes in dozens of colors, textures, and some are meant for kitchen and bathroom so are water resistant and easy to clean.

 

[aart]

Oh, Gambrel roof, terrible for ventilation. I like big roof overhangs for eave ventilation. Sorry, pet peeve. There's a great way to modify gambrel roofs to have 2 sets of eaves, but it's major construction.

At least it's tall one, so room on walls to add top hinged windows for year round light and summer ventilation.

Looks like decent overhang for rain runoff, but lower eave is all caulked up.

Looks like board and batten siding, also caulked in places, and looks like some leaking on back wall(water staining). Adding inner wall sheathing can make for a prefect place for rodents to take up residence..and if wall are leaky, mold.

What is the foundation made of?
Wonders what might be living under the floor.
Anti-dig aprons might be a good move.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


Love the long rope thru multiple screw eyes for the pop door, does it work?
Sorry for all the negativity, am trained to look for fail points and design against them.

Nice sized building, could do a lot with it.
I'd make a storage area in front 4', move that chicken wire wall, the rest for chickens.
Poop boards with brooder area underneath.
Mount nests in storage wall for easy 'out of coop' egg gathering.

 

[townchicks]

That is a nice start. One thing that jumps out at me, is the fenced area around the coop does not look too secure. Especially with all the foliage behind the coop where it would be easy for predators to lurk and dig unseen. If you can get electricity out there, I'd recommend a hot wire for sure. I think there are ways to run from solar too, not sure though. Hawks are likely to be an issue too, maybe build a covered run for times when they can't be watched.

 

[Feranix]

The "white" Black Jack is a different product than the #57 (which is black) and yes it's about twice as costly. 5 gal of $57 is about $50 or so. I don't know how well the white stuff performs compared to the black one, or what differences there might be other than the color.

With the walls I would just make sure they're indeed solid (they look to be) and that there's no gaps or cracks that need fixing, and then yeah, I'd probably just paint directly on that.

With the roof you probably won't know until fall, maybe winter, if it has a condensation dripping issue - it's from humidity that builds up inside, rises, collects on the ceiling, and drips back down. Metal roofs can be prone to that.

I personally like a lot of ventilation - I have 3x more than the minimum recommended and I still feel like I could use more. Windows are good for both light and ventilation but one of the best places to add ventilation is around the roof and roof line - gable vents, soffit vents, under eave vents - as you want hotter, humid air in winter to be able to escape. So take a look up to see if there's places where you can add vents.

I've read that the black one cracks easily, but that's just from one person's experience. DO you know if you can paint over that stuff? I'm not familiar. I just don't want a black floor. Lol

I will definitely look into ventilation. I was talking to my parents about what you told me and they looked at me like I had 3 heads lol like why so much for chickens. I am definitely going to do it though! Even for me it is way too warm in there and I keep the chicken doors open. I can't imagine what it would be like for the poor animals.

Interlocking tiles for garage floors are nearly indestructible. But pricey. There are textured deck paints. Also very durable. For the walls. Paneling is relatively inexpensive. Comes in dozens of colors, textures, and some are meant for kitchen and bathroom so are water resistant and easy to clean.

I wish I could afford the expensive stuff.. lol Usually the more you pay the better the quality, but unfortunately I gotta fix the roof of my house too so gotta make sure I Have money aside for that right now. Do you have any links to any cheap paneling, just for an example for me to do more research. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Oh, Gambrel roof, terrible for ventilation. I like big roof overhangs for eave ventilation. Sorry, pet peeve. There's a great way to modify gambrel roofs to have 2 sets of eaves, but it's major construction.

At least it's tall one, so room on walls to add top hinged windows for year round light and summer ventilation.

Looks like decent overhang for rain runoff, but lower eave is all caulked up.

Looks like board and batten siding, also caulked in places, and looks like some leaking on back wall(water staining). Adding inner wall sheathing can make for a prefect place for rodents to take up residence..and if wall are leaky, mold.

What is the foundation made of?
Wonders what might be living under the floor.
Anti-dig aprons might be a good move.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


Love the long rope thru multiple screw eyes for the pop door, does it work?
Sorry for all the negativity, am trained to look for fail points and design against them.

Nice sized building, could do a lot with it.
I'd make a storage area in front 4', move that chicken wire wall, the rest for chickens.
Poop boards with brooder area underneath.
Mount nests in storage wall for easy 'out of coop' egg gathering.

Yeah, I am not a fan of the roof either. I would like higher walls too just to be able to make a better perch and I have an apparatus I want to build for feed and water and I feel like the side walls are too short... How much do you think it would cost to raise? Or do you have any websites or pages just to do research because I know cost ranges based on state, skill, and hiring someone to do it for you.

I think I am gonna stay away from adding a wall. Most people have said it's not necessary. I just dislike the look, but I can get over it. I agree with the wall staining. I noticed that too, but I think they had fixed that because they have the fluffy yellow caulk stuff on the wall back there.

I meant to look at the foundation the other day, but I forgot to look because I had taken down the fence and I am gonna redo that. I can't remember though. I don't think anything is living under it. They had fencing around it and it boarded up. I see no signs of digging around any of it either. I mean I guess there could be now because I started to take all the ugly parts away and I was gonna redo it. Lol

I love all the input. I wish I had some of you guys near me!

That is a nice start. One thing that jumps out at me, is the fenced area around the coop does not look too secure. Especially with all the foliage behind the coop where it would be easy for predators to lurk and dig unseen. If you can get electricity out there, I'd recommend a hot wire for sure. I think there are ways to run from solar too, not sure though. Hawks are likely to be an issue too, maybe build a covered run for times when they can't be watched.

Yeah, the fence was extremely loose in some parts and others had like double fencing. I had taken it all down yesterday because 1. Like you said it was not secure 2. The weeds were BAD. I actually might use someone elses idea from above with skirting :O I think that is genius lol

 

[aart]

I do have another question though:
How deep should I bury my fence or should I just like dig up the whole area and lay down fencing and put ground over it? I eventually want to make a closed in outdoor area for the chickens, but that isn't gonna happen anytime soon.

Neither, go with an 'apron'.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Feranix]

Neither, go with an 'apron'.
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Yeah I actually just edited my post because I just realized I never clicked your link. That is like genius! I am DEFINITELY going to do that. I am sorry I didn't read your first post in it's entirety! I'm on lunch, but still get bothered at work! lol

Do you have any tips on measuring how much of the hardware cloth I should buy? The only project I've done with fencing is a cat kennel and my dad figured all that stuff out because I was young and dumb and just wanted to build. I don't wanna like buy more than I have to kind of thing and I'll have a lot of extra fencing as is because the previous fencing has the larger rectangles. Is there anything I can do with that chicken wise? I know it's not recommended because predators can stick their arms into it. I was thinking roof fencing, but then my OCD would kick in because it's not matching.