Starting a coop build, it is my first build and first chickens so feedback is very welcome

[aart]

a Woods Coop, the creator of those coops mathematically calculated the necessary ratio of depth to width and height

Yes, the WxL proportions of the coop are important.

Woods has the big front wall open and all the other openings closed in winter.
This creates an air cushion that provides good air circulation but doesn't not allow strong breezes to flow thru to the back of the coop.

 

[saysfaa]

The foundation has us at an impasse. The best seems to be 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed rock (3/4" without fines) over drainage cloth inside ground contact treated lumber. This out 12" from the walls. Fortunately, this is less expensive than concrete. Unfortunately, it will still add $300. The builder said most people don't do any foundation; they just set it on the grass, and that seems to be working well. But most of his customers want the bare minimum cost; we've already upgraded several things (thicker boards, heavier door hinges, wider eaves, and such). I will be digging enough to level it in any case.

i can't tell how much difference it makes. The shed comes with a plywood floor supported by untreated 2x4s supported by two ground contact treated 4x4's (essentially skids, I think). Our ground is sandy, and has a gentle slope to the rear. The siding is pine boards, so very vulnerable to rot if it isn't protected. Paint will be most important but keeping rain from splashing on it or not draining away well is also important. We are in the midwest so get a moderate amount of rain.

Longevity matters because we like doing things that way but resale value matters more, probably as a shed rather than a chicken coop. All of the houses on our street, except ours until now, have sheds and I don't think any have foundations. None are in very good shape.

Anyway, we can do it, if it makes enough difference. Should we do it? Or is there a different option besides concrete, this gravel, or nothing?

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm in a radically different climate, but around here most sheds are put on blocks.

However our ground never freezes beyond the top inch or so -- no frost-heaving to consider.

 

[saysfaa]

Well, it will be at least a week longer; the builder's supplier is having trouble sourcing the rough sawn boards. I have some huge douglas fir in the back pasture that I have thought of logging anyway. Spring isn't the best season for getting them out, though. The builder will check. They usually use white pine but fir might be okay.
It has been hard to be patient but this is why I decided to wait until the coop is delivered before getting the chicks.

 

[saysfaa]

Now it is hopefully by the end on next week. Very confident by two weeks. Certainly by the first of May (but seems to be because his other job starts then rather than anything he is hearing from the supplier)
My alternative doesn't do board and battan. He does either steel sides or T-111 siding. I don't like either choice but I do want to actually get the building. I've never liked the feel of steel buildings with animals in them but I've seen a really lot of disintegrating T-111. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of these two? Edit later: nevermind; not doing it.

 

[aart]

He does either steel sides or T-111 siding. I don't like either choice but I do want to actually get the building. I've never liked the feel of steel buildings with animals in them but I've seen a really lot of disintegrating T-111.

Wood is easier to modify down the road.
Paint/stain/seal it.

 

[saysfaa]

True. Maybe I get the T111 and replace it with board and battan when the price of lumber goes down or I log my woods.

 

[saysfaa]

Hm, that way I could let the boards season before putting them on - tighter walls and don't have to wait another month for them to dry enough to paint or stain before getting the birds (or get them anyway and stress them with moving them temporarily to do it.

 

[writerskramp]

The plan is 10x14. It will be board and batten pine siding and doors, plywood floor, 4:12 shingled roof on plywood with almost 12" eaves, 2 single pane "barn windows" that open inward from the bottom (hinges at the top of each window) and hook open more than 90 degrees up. It has double doors 3'x7' each on the west end and a single 4'x7' door on the south side near the east end. The 4 or 5 hens will get the east 6 or 7 feet of the building; garden tools and chicken supplies get the west end. Woven wire with a 2" x 4" mesh to divide the chickens from the rest of the building. That makes 10 to a little over 15 square feet per hen. They will go out some but not reliably enough to count that for space per bird. I will be able to bring some entertainment in to them regularly, although that will be a lot easier vary in the summer. Is that enough space for most breeds or should I make sure to pick breeds that are more likely to tolerate confinement?

I'm upper midwest so it gets cold and can get very snowy. Zone 5b (or so). Lowest it normally gets is ten below or so (F.), it doesn't stay there longer than a few days. Weeks straight of teens and mid twenties is common, though. Highs in the summer hit 90's and stayed there for several weeks last summer but it does cool off nicely at night. It is humid. Very little wind as we are sheltered by a steep hill and woods to the windward side and it isn't often windy here anyway.

My winter ventilation plan is to leave the south side door fully open and everything else air tight. If that doesn't work - I can build a wood's open-air style coop inside the main coop. or part of one. I'm not just building the woods' coop as a compromise with my better half. In the summer, open the ridge vent and soffit vents and whatever doors and windows seem to make it most comfortable. It will get morning and evening shade from trees - full sun from about 8 to 3:30.

Predator protection: I expect raccoons will be the most likely threat but everything from least weasels to bald eagles and black bears is possible. Metal lath (like for stucco, it is 27" x 8' with 1/4x1/2 diamond-shaped mesh) on the ground for the apron around the outside. And to screen the bottom 50" of the south door. And the west door if I can figure out how to make it movable enough. Maybe put a frame around it and slide it open inside the framing. The rest of the openings (eaves, windows, upper part of doors) : 19 gauge hardware cloth with 1/2 x 1/2 mesh.

I'm still working on roosts and nests.
Nipple waterer on a bucket or on a pvc pipe from a bucket.
This for a feeder: https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/diy-rodent-free-chook-feeder/12322946 for dry feed. I'm working on feeding fermented rations. And how to give them oyster shell and grit. Is there any reason a "sandbox" of sand and stones wouldn't provide grit as well as dusting and entertainment?
Bedding: Sweet PDZ under pine shavings and fall leaves from the trees. Maybe some chopped straw (from my own rye field - is there any reason not to use that?)

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It's great to have plans.. mine was what I had on hand and the length of lumber and tin.. Some tar paper, leaked. Added a scrounged pool liner. No longer leaks.. Some old windows and long abandon dog pen already there.. Added an old shooting blind for an egg house.. and for the cherry on top.. an old pond net I purchased for ten dollars at a garage sale thinking it may come in handy for something.. Miracle of miracles, it did. Net is supported in a maypole of sorts in the center, with old cargo straps attached to a tire side wall. A dirt run, and a dirt floor, the dirt was already there. Some fallen trees for roosts and scrounged plastic milk crates for nest boxes.. had to dump out the tools. Cut a smaller entrance into a larger piece of sheathing. Placed on old door hinges. Closed in the winter, open in the summer. Some recycled hardware cloth for some widows for ventilation, plus nothing is sealed up nor insulated.. Place old shower doors over those in winter, just to keep the wind out. Everybody's happy, well almost everybody. Those that aren't too bad.. chickens like it!

 

[saysfaa]

The shed is done! Rather, the builder finished yesterday. I still have a lot to do. These pictures are from when it was on his truck. It is dropped off but I don't have any more pictures. I'll take more when I get home early next week. I'm delighted with it.