Shed King 4x8 Coop plans

[Countryfamily]

Hi everyone. We're looking into building a coop for some laying hens, hopefully for next spring. I've found these plans at Shed King and am wondering if anyone has tried them and if so, what was your opinion. Here's a link to the plans. http://www.shedking.net/4x8chickencoopplans.html
Even if you haven't built this coop and can see an issue with the plans, please let me know. I shod mention that I live in Manitoba so cold will be an issue and insulation will be necessary. Thanks in advance.

 

[GalaBoys]

I wouldn't do an exterior nest box for Canadian climates. By the time you insulate it, it becomes very bulky and impractical.

 

[Judy]

I agree about the nest boxes.

You could build an 8x8 building, giving them a lot more interior space for those blizzardy days they don't want to go out, usng not much more material (if any) than that uses. A simple 8x8 shed will do it. Slanting the roof all to one side, or unevenly peaked, and having roof overhang will give ou protected space for ventilation.

We have some excellent articcles which were written by a Canadian member about coop needs in your climate:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

And here is an entirely different concept for a cold climate coop:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/445004/woods-style-house-in-the-winter/0_20

 

[Countryfamily]

Thanks everyone. I've been looking for a while and it seems like everyone builds one than modifies it or builds another. I'd like to skip that unnecessary step if possible.

 

[Countryfamily]

I agree about the nest boxes.

You could build an 8x8 building, giving them a lot more interior space for those blizzardy days they don't want to go out, usng not much more material (if any) than that uses. A simple 8x8 shed will do it. Slanting the roof all to one side, or unevenly peaked, and having roof overhang will give ou protected space for ventilation.

We have some excellent articcles which were written by a Canadian member about coop needs in your climate:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/winter-coop-temperatures

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

And here is an entirely different concept for a cold climate coop:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/445004/woods-style-house-in-the-winter/0_20

I checked out the links and they are very interesting. Does anyone here have plans or can direct me to accurate plans for a coop designed and proven in real cold weather for 8-10 laying hens? The emphasis should be on proven and the 8-10 can be increased a tad! Our winters are terrible here, especially this winter...worst in 116 years!!! FYI, I'm good at following instructions and have built insulated dog houses with plans and have down sized the plans for a cat house but absolutely hate messing up and wasting wood.

 

[GalaBoys]

Get an 8x10 or 8x12 shed kit, add insulation, extra windows and ventilation, sheet the interior, and customize it for chickens. Done!