Technical coop building question.

[aart]

Oh my! I didn't even notice the typo! Too funny.

No Problem...I nca read typonese.

 

[Merrymouse]

 

[Merrymouse]

When I was building my coop, I found these instructions for making an external nest box. Being a complete novice, I found the details and photos very user friendly.

http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2011/03/10/external-nest-box-plans/

It was not too difficult to adapt them to my coop, even though I was not building the Garden Coop. You could probably even put in the adaptions that Bruceha mentioned, for having the door be smaller with a six inch wall below it to keep the bedding in, instead of the removable blocks behind the full door that are suggested.

I made mine with the blocks. They have their pros and cons. At clean out time, it's nice to brush all the old pine shavings right out the door. But it was tricky measuring the blocks just right. Sometimes they slide in place nicely and other times they are a tight wedge or somewhat loose.

I also used a piano hinge on mine instead of two separate hinges. I've actually grown quite fond of piano hinges. They work well in a lot of scenarios.

Anyway, I hope the link is helpful for your learning process.

I was originally going to build a garden coop too but changed my mind. So I did read and save those instructions on how to build the nest boxes and try to incorporate them into my design. Thanks for your help!

 

[Merrymouse]

Guy here(@centrarchid ) had english setters(I think) trained to protect chickens.

Seriously? That would be awesome but I don't think Id ever trust my setter alone with chickens. Maybe if I was right there but alone the instincts might take over..

 

[Merrymouse]

Quote:
I did not have a dog entered but I was there to help out my club and a few friends with their setters. And yes, I have show (bench) setter. I dont know where you are but if you have any interest in finding a setter Id be happy to point you in the right direction. Lots of new puppies this year. I don't breed but have many friends that do.

 

[Finnie]

Quote:
I did not have a dog entered but I was there to help out my club and a few friends with their setters. And yes, I have show (bench) setter. I dont know where you are but if you have any interest in finding a setter Id be happy to point you in the right direction. Lots of new puppies this year. I don't breed but have many friends that do.

That's nice that you could help out your club. It figures that this year everyone is having litters instead of last year.

Oh well. I have two dachshunds and the collie, so it will be many years now, before I look for a puppy again. I am near Indianapolis. Do you ever show at the Indy Winter Classic?

 

[bruceha2000]

You sure you don't live in Vermont @Merrymouse ????

I SO feel for you! Rocks, I have them here too. EVERYWHERE I want to dig a hole has rocks either put there by the glaciers eons ago or by people who buried quantities of unwanted rocks and concrete just inches under the surface.

And some just can NOT be moved without power equipment I do not have. I dug far more holes for my fence than the number of posts I put in.


You aren't building a hip roof, they look like this:

I hate to ask but do you have a plan to get that base out of the garage? You know how heavy one of those boards is and once you've got it all together HEAVY!

As far a building too big - Go BIG or Go HOME!

It won't look overly big very long once you get used to seeing it in the yard. And of course you will want to add chickens and increase the size of the run and ....

I like piano hinges as @Finnie mentioned. If you 'split' a piece of plywood to make a hinged door they support the entire span and keep the wood in line. To do that with "regular" hinges on a longer span you need to make an internal frame or you will likely end up with gapping as the plywood warps.

 

[Merrymouse]

I don't know what happened to my long winded post so I'll try again. Anyway, I got a lot done today all by myself. I had to google how to use a mitre saw, how to use a drill etc. didn't even know how to change out the drill bit! I spent probably 3 days trying to get a foundation in but massive boulders, tree stumps and roots challenged me every step of the way. Very frustrating. Anyway I have four solid footings at the corners and one on the sides. It will have to do. If we have problems we will have to jack and up and shim it later. But is solid, level and square. I found out the hard way it is very difficult to put up studs by yourself especially when there is nothing to rest the stud on while you screw it in. Those 7 footers are awkward. Anyway I used clamps and I managed to get the studs in for the front and back today. 4' opening for the coop 3+' opening for the door to run then 24" on center for the rest of the studs. I'm hoping to get the rafters on tomorrow. Also ignore the random piles of cinder blocks I was trying to stack them to support my stud while I screwed it in....big fail.

So I'm not strictly following the Wichita plan. 1 my coop and run is much bigger.
2 I'm going to use rafter ties to place my rafters instead of just screwing them into the side of the stud like the plan. Don't know if this will mess me up later but we'll see. I figured it would be easier for me to put in the rafters ties rather than trying to hold up 10' pieces of lumber and try to screw them in at the same time.

3. I'm going to use a mending plate to butt together 2-2x4x8's to get the 16' length I need across the top of the rafters. Does anyone have any advice or an easier way to do this? Will this even work?

Thanks for your continued support

@Finnie I've never gone to the Indy Winter Classic.

@brucela2000 I had my kids help me get the base out of the garage. We're good there. And I'll put piano hinges on my list. Thanks for the tip

 

[ScottandSam]

Id go 2x6x16' personally. 2x4 will bow across 16' unless it supported in the middle. I'd also not recommend butting boards for a roof line like that. Heck I am in SW MO and I wouldn't trust a 2x4 with our snow load. besides that 4x8 1/2" sheet of plywoods gonna add some weight.

Also at 200lbs I would feel safe on that roof it would move. Just a thought
if You went 5/8 osb on 2x6x16" the 2x"' cost more but the osb it almost half the cost of 1/2" ply then Id paint the underside and trim it out with roofing tar paper then the metal. that way osb is protected from moister. I also would do that for a plywood roof too.

Hopefully didn't complicate things just thought as I read threw your thread.
Scott

 

[TalkALittle]

@Merrymouse, will your coop only be supported by the blocks at the four corners?