Suggestions for a large, easy-to-build, inexpensive coop?

[twoacresofhappy]

We currently have a coop that's just under 8' x 8', with 23 chickens in there (and seven babies in the brooder). It's definitely too small already. They have a 30x40 run, and are let out to free range after around noon each day.

I want to build a much larger coop that will comfortably house up to, say, 30 (maybe up to 40?) chickens. My 12yo daughter wants just the two of us to build it. I'm 5' tall and she's got an inch on me. Girl power! she says, but I'm pretty sure this isn't going to be easy. I don't know anything about building, though I did finish the pallet-based coop my husband built. He is a chemist, not a craftsman, and I'm pretty sure that with a little purple paint with maybe giant green splotches, it could qualify for some sort of Seussical approval. Our biggest problem, aside from the fact that the walls didn't quite meet in some places, was that I just could not figure out how to do a proper roof. I'm still not sure how we're going to manage that part on a new one.

I know there are a lot of coops and pictures on this site. What I'm looking for are suggestions for an approximate coop size for the number of chickens we have (or might have). I'm also wondering if anyone has suggestions that would be understandable to total novices on how to frame a coop, how to add space for windows, and how to do an *easy* roof. Preferably all as budget-conscious as possible. Is that too tall of an order? I hope not. Hoping that some of you experts on here have some advice.

 

[F6Hawk]

Some may disagree with me, but if you let your chickens out to range most of the day, then you only need about 2 sq ft per bird of roosting space. You have about 64 sq ft now, so you can house 32 birds comfortably. But if you want more space, feel free to build a second coop. Unless you just want to clean only one, that is. Do you have a concrete pad, ir will this go on dirt? If you are on dirt, get yourself some 4X4X10 treated lumber, 6 pieces will do just fine. Dig holes and sink them 2' into the ground (for the front poles, 2' 6" for the back posts for a sloped roof) with spacing to allow you to build a coop that is 8X10 feet. Buy some treated 2X4X10 and 2X4X8 to frame it up, Add some 1/2" plywood to cover the sides.

Plan to use 3/4" plywood for the roof if you use shingles that are nailed down. You'll need some roof supports, and don't forget to leave a gap between the top of the walls and the roof for ventilation. A small door for the chickens to enter, a bigger door for you to shovel out the poop. I would add egg boxes at 3 or 4 birds per box (easier to build them now before you get up to 40 chickens. I built mined on the outside with a sloped, shingled, hinged roof so I can gather from the outside. 12" wide, 12" tall in back, 14" tall in front gives you a self-draining roof for the egg boxes.

 

[LaurelC]

Here is a google image search for "hoop coop"
https://www.google.com/search?q=hoo...ACw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=882#imgdii=_

I'd probably do the cattle panel for structure, and for the area that I wanted to keep dry, I would get some corrugated plastic roofing and use that. It won't get ripped up like a tarp, won't make flappy noises, and you can see through it.
http://blog.mydbsupply.com/mr-bells-homemade-transparent-corrugated-pvc-greenhouse/

 

[F6Hawk]

Maybe a pic will help. You can scale this up as needed. I went with 4' high in front, 6' wide, and 4' deep, planning to keep about 8-10 birds in it.

http://poultry.purinamills.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/web_content/ecmp2-0160674.pdf

 

[cnotche]

Maybe a pic will help. You can scale this up as needed. I went with 4' high in front, 6' wide, and 4' deep, planning to keep about 8-10 birds in it.

http://poultry.purinamills.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/web_content/ecmp2-0160674.pdf

Wow, that is a well-written coop plan. I esp like the material list on the bottom of the page. Very user friendly!

 

[melroseladi]

I don't think I'm understanding, exactly - I think I need to find an image to help. I'm wondering if that'd be predator-safe, though. I'm in GA, and although I have dogs, they are not always outside especially during weather extremes. Interesting, though - I definitely need to do some research! Lorie, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I am 60 years old and built my hoop coop by myself so you can do it. I used 4x4 for long side base and 2x4 for front/back short side base, 2 cattle panels, draped chain link wire over it to keep out predators with deer type netting over that to keep out snakes. I used scrap wood to build the back wall and front wall with a walk-in door.I used small hole scrap lattice for even more ventilation. I have since added 2 more cattle panels to the back to add another breeding pen. I put a tarp over it to keep out rain.




Penny

 

[LaurelC]

Thanks for all these suggestions and comments. Penny, I'm so impressed with your coop!

I do have a couple more questions about the hoop coops - are they acceptable for colder weather? I know I'm in Georgia, but we've had a very cold (for Georgia, anyway) winter, so I'm wondering if these hoop coops would keep chickens warm when temps and wind chills drop below 0F. Also, does anyone know what the cost comparison would between a hoop coop and a more traditional framed coop? My only hesitation is that it's been so wet here that I'm reluctant to leave them on the ground - I was hoping to build a coop that was raised at least by a couple feet to protect them from that. Decisions, decisions!

Hi!
If you've ever built a greenhouse, you'll know that as long as the cover is clear, they will absorb sun and increase heat. If you cover your cattle panel with the clear corrugated stuff and "seal" up the ends, you'll have no problems holding warmth. You could also build a false bottom of plywood into the structure to get the chickens up off the ground. I just sketched up what I was describing to help explain it a little better. To predator-proof it, you could either bury some wire into the ground around the coop, or if you wanted it to be somewhat portable, you could put a layer of welded wire mesh on the bottom of the frame to enclose the bottom.

 

[Loriemarler]

I'm thinking of building a hoop coop for my chickens. I am short too and my 10yo son is going to help me. Just a thought

 

[LaurelC]

I imagine if you're going for ease of build, I'd go with a pressure treated 2x4 box/base, and cattle panels as the hoop portion of the coop. They should be robust enough to support a snow load and should allow you to affix anything you need to.

 

[Loriemarler]

I imagine if you're going for ease of build, I'd go with a pressure treated 2x4 box/base, and cattle panels as the hoop portion of the coop.  They should be robust enough to support a snow load and should allow you to affix anything you need to.

Yep that is what I am planning I'm going to cover one section with a tarp and add external nest boxes.