Sketch of new city coop--thoughts appreciated

[JohnLongIsland]

I sketched up a coop that I want to build. The city ordinance allows for 6 hens (no roosters), so this should be ample. 40sq.ft. or run, 20ft.sq. in the coop, and an external nest box. I wanted to build it in two 4'x5' sections, so that it would be somewhat portable. The plan was to build the coop from exterior plywood, and use corrugated asphalt for the coop and run roof. All covered in 1/2" (or 1", if I can find it) hardware cloth. We have some big raccoons here in town, so I would probably run some electric wire around the base to prevent digging. Any thoughts? Cleaning might be a pain with the low roof. But the nest box and coop would have doors that would allow for easily scraping out the bedding. No lip to make it annoying. Also--pressure treated wood should be ok, shouldn't it? The sketch doesn't show it, but the coop would have a nice plexiglass window (I have a chunk about 12"x12"), and a couple of decent wire-covered vents. Perches, etc. Thanks for any thoughts! Much cheaper to fix problems on paper!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I saw a similar coop at an auction, but it had the entire back wall split in half to make two doors. It looked really easy to clean—you could bed it with hay and just use a rake to pull everything out.

Our wheelbarrow is a little above two feet tall. Assuming you're going to use one to transport the waste, I'd make sure that the edge of the door is above it—maybe 2.5 feet up instead of 2, for easy scooping.

Are you thinking about getting an automatic coop door or making a little wooden door?

Good luck.

 

[cmom]

Looks good to me. I like the idea that everything is covered. I have electric wire around all of my coops and pens, concrete under the gates and a heavy duty netting covering the pens. I have dealt with a bobcat and possum digging under a fence, a fox that dug under a gate to one of the pens, an owl flying in one of my open coops and killing several birds and a coyote that jumped over a 5' fence into one of the pens and killed some birds. Since I put up the electric wire, the concrete and netting. I hadn't lost a bird to a predator in a long time. Not true now. a couple of weeks ago I lost a couple of birds to either a fox or coyote. I think it was partially my fault as I may not have latched a gate good and part of the electric wire was down next to the gate when I discovered the feathers. I saw both a fox and coyote lurking around a coop and pen. Good luck and have fun...

 

[rosemarythyme]

If 6 hens is your goal, I'd go bigger with the run - the more run space you can give them, the less they'll fuss and the fewer behavioral issues you'll face. 60 sq ft of run would be the minimum, but if you can go even bigger, it'll make a difference.

Now I don't know how your back feels, but maintaining a run while stooped over is NOT fun and it makes everything a bigger hassle than needed. So I would make the overall enclosure tall enough to comfortably stand in, even if the coop portion still requires you to bend down or lean in (though personally I'd only do a walk in height coop from now on). You have to consider you might need to access a hen hiding in the back corner of the coop, or pullets needing to be placed on the roost, or shown how to use nest boxes... so however the coop is set up, make sure you can actually reach in and do all those things.

I don't know anything about roofing so not sure the asphalt is optimal? You might want to talk to people in your area that are more knowledgeable about roofing materials, as results might vary based on your climate and how much rain/snow/harsh sun you get.

 

[123RedBeard]

Where abouts do you live? Climate?

What kind of chickens are you planning on getting? 6 Large Foul will probably be a bit tight in there, Bantam sized chickens might be OK.

I'd stretch the longer side (5') to 8' long, and move the nesting boxes over onto a side so the eaves don't drip on them. Plywood is gonna be 8' long any ways ...

I also would make it taller, since I'm 6'1" ... this may not be important to you ... but the birds will have more room to perch/roost, and to get up and down.

Since your plan shows a front height of 4.5' high, your gonna have some waste, why not make it a foot taller?

Make BIG doors, and good latches ... and make sure that the floor height will allow easy cleaning for YOU, after the thousandth time of bending over you'll wish you made those legs 8"-12" taller ... and measure your wheelbarrow too.

Make plenty of eaves/overhang, and the whole front width should be left open at the top 6", covered with hardware cloth.

To beef up the hardware cloth, use the heaviest gauge you can find, THEN cover it with an additional layer of 12 or 14 gauge 1"X3" welded wire, cover the edged with wood strips, and screw it all down!

Consider something like this ... https://www.homedepot.com/p/LP-SmartSide-SmartSide-48-in-x-96-in-Strand-Panel-Siding-27874/100055901

Here's a link to different sized welded wire ... hold onto your wallet! www.wirefenceonline.com it may be available elsewhere cheaper ... http://m.redbrand.com/760003?t=3dh99l9m1ba5fhf6hhtolv6lf3

I've never heard of corrugated asphalt roofing ... corrugated metal, and fiberglass, or asphalt shingles ...

 

[JohnLongIsland]

Someone else suggested that--I had planned on having to basically crawl inside and do it the hard way. On paper that doesn't sound too bad--but in practice? You're probably right. I am thinking I could make the run section, with the roof removable. Then, whenever it needs it, just detach and move it aside, do the cleaning, and reinstall it. It's a good point. Growing up, our enclosed run was tall. You could easily go in with a grain shovel and rake and take care of it.

 

[JohnLongIsland]

Where abouts do you live? Climate?

What kind of chickens are you planning on getting? 6 Large Foul will probably be a bit tight in there, Bantam sized chickens might be OK.

I'd stretch the longer side (5') to 8' long, and move the nesting boxes over onto a side so the eaves don't drip on them. Plywood is gonna be 8' long any ways ...

I also would make it taller, since I'm 6'1" ... this may not be important to you ... but the birds will have more room to perch/roost, and to get up and down.

Since your plan shows a front height of 4.5' high, your gonna have some waste, why not make it a foot taller?

Make BIG doors, and good latches ... and make sure that the floor height will allow easy cleaning for YOU, after the thousandth time of bending over you'll wish you made those legs 8"-12" taller ... and measure your wheelbarrow too.

Make plenty of eaves/overhang, and the whole front width should be left open at the top 6", covered with hardware cloth.

To beef up the hardware cloth, use the heaviest gauge you can find, THEN cover it with an additional layer of 12 or 14 gauge 1"X3" welded wire, cover the edged with wood strips, and screw it all down!

Consider something like this ... https://www.homedepot.com/p/LP-SmartSide-SmartSide-48-in-x-96-in-Strand-Panel-Siding-27874/100055901

Here's a link to different sized welded wire ... hold onto your wallet! www.wirefenceonline.com it may be available elsewhere cheaper ... http://m.redbrand.com/760003?t=3dh99l9m1ba5fhf6hhtolv6lf3

I've never heard of corrugated asphalt roofing ... corrugated metal, and fiberglass, or asphalt shingles ...

 

[JohnLongIsland]

I made it 4.5' and 3.5 in the back, so that by cutting an 8' sheet diagonally, you could get the front and back from one sheet. I'm really shocked at how expensive building materials are. Jeez, 1/2" exterior ply is pushing $40 a sheet! I miss growing up in the country. You could always find recycled materials.

I'm thinking about corrugated asphalt, since it's cheap and we used some several years ago for an outdoor shower. Seems to be holding up well. I would prefer metal, but the cost is insane. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ondura-...-Corrugated-Roof-Panel-in-Green-154/202274896

I live in Wisconsin. My initial plan was to run chicken tractors. Low cost, etc. But with the predators, and the heavy snow, I don't see a way to make that work. I might build one anyway, as a day pen for the birds. But really it's not a solution for me.

My plan is to get birds that are very cold hardy. The location of my coop will be in a corner with a neighbor's garage on one side, and another neighbors hedges/fence on the other. Protected from wind, summer shade, and out of site from neighbors. THey are both cool with the idea--but it would be even better if they don't even know. Ie, no smell, noise...

 

[123RedBeard]

Wisconsin = Snow & Ice ... do you actually have "summer"? Just kidding ... I've been there in the summertime, simular to Vermont where I grew up ...

I never heard of that corrugated asphalt roofing looks good!

Considering you want cold hardy birds ... they usually come in Large & EXTRA LARGE sizes ... I'd consider only four chickens if you want to keep your coop that size ... something like Wyandotte, Chantecler, Buckeye ...

 

[aart]

First I have to say, as an old drafter, that is a very nice sketch...looks hand drawn.
Especially for a chemie.

You've gotten lots of good advice.....I'll just add that access to the coop is about more than just cleaning. You need to be able to easily 'grab' a bird, with both hands, in any part of the coop and run. Taking them off the roost at night is the best time to do an exam.... for pests or injury/illness or banding....lots of reasons.

Go bigger, a walk in coop with the ability to section off inside might make your breeding dreams much easier...and nothing beats doing winter chores under cover in a cold and snowy clime.

Welcome Back to BYC!
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile so it shows up under your profile. It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!