RougeRiverRanch Coop - In Process

[RougeRiverRanch]

We finally decided to ditch the pre-fab coop from TSC and build one of our own. Since we have many predators in our area, we are unfortunately no longer able to free range our flock. Since April, we lost part of our flock (including our rooster) to coyotes and raccoons. We also lost our small dog to a coyote a couple of weeks ago. So, I wanted to build a coop/run that was large enough to keep 10-15 chickens comfortably.

The entire coop and run will be 16 feet long by 9 feet wide, with a “lean-to” type roof (11’ tall on the front, and 9.5’ tall on the back side). We started by staking out 10 post holes (each hole was 13” and 46” deep), backfilling the holes with 3-4” of pea stone, and setting 4” thick, 12” diameter concrete biscuits on top of the pea stone.

7 of the posts are wolmanized 4x6s and 3 of them are wolmanized 4x4s (we didn’t need to use 4x6s on the back side, but had 2 extras, so we used them for the end posts on the ends). For predator protection, we used a 2x12 around the entire perimeter, buried 8”-10” below grade. To assist with drainage, all 10 post holes are back filled with pea stone, and the trench for the 2x12 will also be back filled with pea-stone. That way, any water will make its way to the post holes, and drain down through the 42” deep back-filled post-holes.

The coop is 9’x4.5’, plus the nesting box area, which is cantilevered out past the 6x4 posts.
We used T1-11 siding for the coop.

I’m starting to enclose the coop now, which will be insulated with 2” R-10 foam board insulation. Here’s the catch, we currently have four roosters (trying to sell 2) and 4 hens, and would like the ability to separate the roosters out from the hens from time-to-time. Our preference would be to just free range the roosters and give them access to their own section of the coop area, but with at least a half dozen coyotes in our area (currently working on eradicating them, but they are still a major problem).

Our plan is to split the coop and run lengthwise (2/3 for the hens and 1/3 for the roosters) and have removable dividers between the two in case we just want to commingle the whole flock at a later date.

I’m open to suggestions and ideas for finishing out the project, so feel free to chime in if you have any input!

Will update the post as the project continues!

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Looks fabulous!

 

[RougeRiverRanch]

Update, we’re almost done with the exterior. I decided to split the coop 2/3 for the hens and 1/3 for the roosters, as one of our roosters has been much too aggressive with our hens. The coop will have a piece of 3/4” plywood running from the wall with the access doors to the nesting boxes (it will be removable for when we let them hang out together).

Since we have relatively cold winters here in Michigan I insulated the inside of the coop with 2” R-10 foam board. The ceiling and floor are also now insulated (not shown in the pictures)

I sealed off the overhang in the run area to keep birds and critters out of the coop and used hardware cloth over the area of the coop so we can have adequate ventilation in the winter (the window will be closed off in the winter).

The small door on the right is for the rooster’s side of the coop and the large door on the left is for the hens.