Starting over on coop - design recommendations?

[bruceha2000]

You don't need to use hardware cloth for the predator underground skirting. That stuff is stupid expensive. I would go with 2x4 welded wire. Cheaper and still far too small for a coon to get through. Dig it down a couple of inches and skirt out.

 

[aart]

My sister read through this entire thread just now, and there will be NO walk-in run. In fact, no run!

We are going for one giant walk-in coop at this point. So, no hinged triangles and other nonsense ideas from yours truly. The coop will be 20' x 6' - about triple the area her 5 chickens now have.

She laughed a lot reading all of your comments, because she was ribbing me the entire way. SEE! SEE! IT NEEDS TO BE WALK-IN!!!

I was really trying to reduce the work on this by 50% or more. Me and my big mouth - "hey sis, want to read through the thread"?

I assume you are in Sonoma AZ?
So maybe the 'coop' will actually be like one big 'run' as you'll want beau-coup ventilation in the desert.

Why reduce the work by 50% and have less of a coop/run when done?

 

[sonomacluck]

I assume you are in Sonoma AZ?
So maybe the 'coop' will actually be like one big 'run' as you'll want beau-coup ventilation in the desert.

Why reduce the work by 50% and have less of a coop/run when done?

No my sister is in Berkeley California.

 

[sonomacluck]

Here's some pics of the trenching. We are meshing 10" down and skirting with bricks on the side, my sister has tons of bricks.

 

[MROO]

Looks like you signed up for a bigger project that you bargained for Many of us on BYC have lured an unsuspecting friend, family member, spouse, neighbor, etc. into a grande coop build!

Make life easier on yourself. Invest in a good shed kit for the coop and let your sister customize the inside to her heart's content ... nest boxes, brooder, etc. Then just build yourself a nice, big frame that will take a full sized storm door and cover the bugger with sturdy hardware cloth and an apron. It'll look great and you won't have to reinvent the wheel!

 

[sonomacluck]

Just a quick update, it's getting there. It's around 5' wide by 20' long and around 7' high. It's all walk-in.

Framing is almost complete. I'm calling it the "Berkeley Basic". I'll write an article on here when it's complete.

Here's a pic:

 

[MROO]

Good Start!

 

[Nardo]

Just a quick update, it's getting there. It's around 5' wide by 20' long and around 7' high. It's all walk-in.

Framing is almost complete. I'm calling it the "Berkeley Basic". I'll write an article on here when it's complete.

Here's a pic:

View attachment 1470472

 

[Nardo]

Looks like you have two ready made sides from the start. That's good.

 

[Folly's place]

That lattice will give good upper ventilation, nice. Add well secured hardware cloth over all of it though.
Mary