Questions about coop build..

[Susanjoans]

I use those for my ducks and my chickens, and love them.
Gotta keep them out of the weather, though, or you have feed soup.

 

[SJUDD]

I bought a 10X10X6 dog kennel and then covered it in chicken wire (should have used hardwire cloth) also, covered the top with chicken wire to keep them from flying out and the hawks and owls from flying in. I also put an easy up over the kennel for the same purpose, although the wind here has torn that thing to shreds so have to get a new one. The kennel is against the house and so that side cannot get the wind, etc but then for this winter, I covered half of the top and sides with tarps so they can still get out into the sunshine but then also have an area that is wind and rain free. I don't have snow here so that is not something I have to worry about. I am building a larger area that used to be my chicken coop and run... I gave my chickens to a friend this summer so I am going to convert their area into being more predator proof and having multiple ponds for them. I will be building something for them to go into at night and in inclement weather but I don't have a blueprint for that yet. Here is a picture of what they are in now. In the winter I use a combination of pine shavings and straw to keep them warm although the straw gets wet really easy and you have to clean it more often This is during clean out so the pond is not full yet. The "house" is just a round bin that I cut a hole in for them to go in and out. They do lay their eggs in there most of the time, although sometimes just in the middle of the pen. Again, this is their temporary home until I get the chicken run/coop converted. This is good for the 4 ducks I have but if I get more, it will not be big enough

 

[PrayingMantis]

We like your coop you built! We have about 200sqft of used trex decking materials and have 4 ducklings right now, 2 cambells and 2 harlequins. We think one of the harlequins is a male so we will be trading him for a female runner. Do you have blueprints on how to build this coop? We are very new at this, on a limited budget, seeking and gathering used and free materials as they become available. We were discussing what type of flooring should be used for the ducks, my husband suggested the pressed wood boards you see for roofing, but I would think utilizing the trex would be best for having to clean the coop daily. It will hold up against the litter and wetness right? The coop will be used for housing at night for predator protection, and when we are gone for an extended amout of time during the days until we have their yard enclosure. All we have right now is a chain linked fence around an acre of land. Just concerned for cats, hawks, and the possiblity of a daytime roaming dog, fox, or the more rare, coyote.
Do you have blueprints for dummies you could share? I just want my husband to have exact measurements of each cut of wood to ensure no mistakes. These ladies are a month old and its pretty warm, they need to be outside very soon!
Thanks! PS: based on these pics....you think my Daisy on the right with the light colored bill is really a Donald? Is there such thing as a Welsh female with a light bill at 30 days old? Lilly on the left had a pink bill like Daisy, but hers turned dark quickly and her markings are getting dark....Daisy on the other hand, bill got lighter with darker bean, voice changes to sound like a young goose, not really getting darker anywhere either. Hummmm! Nobody can tell me if she is a he or not!