Technical questions before I start building my coop

[kvmommy]

How thick should the subfloor be? and can OSB be used or does it have to be plywood?

I'm thinking of using foam sheathing for the walls...anyone have experience with this?

I couldn't find small enough windowns, so I bought shutters that open and close, and the shutters move up and down to let in light or shut. Do you think thats enough for CT winters? I know you need ventilation anyway.

And is 5x5 big enough for about 10-11 chickens?

 

[Judy]

Have you read this?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures

There's an excellent page about ventilation linked on that page, also.

 

[FarmerRob]

http://www.plamondon.com

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I would use plywood for the floor, due to the possibility of moisture. OSB doesn't usually take moisture all that well.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Don't use OSB, it will be a b*tch to clean and will not last very long even if primed and painted.

For something you'll be walking around on yourself, I'd use 3/4" exterior plywood (CDX); for a reach-in coop 1/2" is enough.

I'm thinking of using foam sheathing for the walls...anyone have experience with this?

Do you mean rigid foamboard insulation? It works well as insulation BUT needs to be covered with something hard/peckproof inside, typically people use 1/4" plywood but other options exist depending on what you can readily come by.

I couldn't find small enough windowns, so I bought shutters that open and close, and the shutters move up and down to let in light or shut. Do you think thats enough for CT winters?

Maybe. You'll need hardwarecloth secured over the opening to keep out friendly raccoons etc. If too much draft gets in you could always staple plastic over the opening for the cold part of the winter.

However IMO it is likely to be insufficient ventilation for summertime (unless they are biiiiiig huge shutters) and may well be not very optimal for wintertime either, depending on location of windows and location of roost etc.

And is 5x5 big enough for about 10-11 chickens?

I wouldn't do it myself, it's only 2.5 sq ft per hen indoors (plus, presumably, ample run) in a moderately coldish climate... but, it just depends what effect you're after, I guess, and how you feel about risks of cannibalism and extra sanitation/air-quality challenges.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[leadwolf1]

If you want to find small coop/shed windows, ebay has a great selection from a person in Carlisle, PA. Reasonable price and shipping rate is also good.

 

[teach1rusl]

5x5 is awfully small for that many birds in an area that gets cold winters. 4 sq. ft. per bird is generally the minimum amount of indoor space recommended, and more is MUCH better. Personally, if you stay with a 5x5, I would reduce the amount of birds you're considering to half that number. Keep in mind that feeders and waterers take away from floor space too. And areas that seem roomy during the warm months (because the chickens are rarely inside except to roost at night and to lay eggs) quickly become quite crowded in winter time, when the birds spend quite a bit of time indoors...

 

[kvmommy]

Quote:
Can you provide a link?

 

[colonel sander]

Quote:
Can you provide a link?

Here you go http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_from=R...3&_nkw=shed+windows&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Also if you are handy you can build your own.