Thoughts on my coop design - planning phase.

[kmpcfp]

Hi all!

I am in the process of building my third coop. My first two are basic 4'x4' raised coops, one with an external nest box, one with no nest box (they just lay in the corner of the floor) with 24/7 access to a predator proof run.

For this coop I want it to be bigger, and I am thinking a partially raised walk in. I like the idea of letting the hens have access to under to coop for extra space. Plus I want to keep any nesting animals out from under the coop as this will be built in the woods.

Attached are some of my drawings. Basic structure will be 6x8 footprint with a shed roof sloping from 7 feet to 4.5 feet and raised about 2 feet off the ground (this will be built on sloped ground, so the platform will be a play it by ear situation). I am planning to put access panels on the three sides to get under the coop if need be. I have a steel door with a window already, so these plans are based around that.

I didn't spec out the run, but it will be 8'x10' plus the 6'x8' under the coop. I will extend the roof line to fully cover the run.

Water and food will be in the run. Essentially 128 sq feet predator proof run plus the 48 sq. feet coop. Ventilation will include open rafters, a gable vent, ventilation in poop sweep door, open pop door to 24/7 predator proof run and an openable window. Of course 1/2" hardware cloth on all openings. Good for 12 birds. Let me know what you think. Thanks!
(not to scale)

 

[Birdsong 82]

Looks like it will be awesome. Maybe add more ventilation but looks they will have a really nice chicken condo! Are the nest boxes are in and out. We raised ours about 18-20” and we had to but up HC because they decided they liked laying eggs under there. It sucks crawling through mud and chicken poop just to get my eggs. Yuck

 

[kmpcfp]

Looks like it will be awesome. Maybe add more ventilation but looks they will have a really nice chicken condo! Are the nest boxes are in and out. We raised ours about 18-20” and we had to but up HC because they decided they liked laying eggs under there. It sucks crawling through mud and chicken poop just to get my eggs. Yuck

I will have an access door to get to the eggs from outside the coop, but wasn't planning on putting anything in the run for eggs. My girls only rarely lay in the run right now, thankfully because my second coop was a quick throw-together coop that was supposed to be meant as a temporary coop 2 years ago, and the run is only 3 feet high... its **really fun** [complete sarcasm] to clean out.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Definitely happy my run and coop are are y’all enough to walk and move in. But just under 5’ tall so that works to my advantage. Lol. I meant are the nesting boxes going to going to be popout. Sorry. Should’ve said it better. I would dig the design if I was a chicken.

 

[aart]

Looks pretty good.
Nice orthographic views..from an old drafter...tho I didn't look at them real close.
Might need some details on eave venting and nest construction.

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Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
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[RoosterML]

Hi,
Another option for venting is to use your rafter bays. Really works well with your setup and should move air better compared to gable vents. Depending on your climate the black line drawn in picture is to cover the rafter bays just over your roost bar so in the winter time you minimize air move in roost area. Red line just shows path of air movement from high to low. In hot climates it will also work really well to keep exhausting out the hot air which alot is normally created by the sun beating down on the roof. Have fun with your build.!