Thoughts on this DIY?

[3KillerBs]

Have you looked through the coops in the resource and article pages yet?

Good point. I've collected some links for well-designed smaller coops here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/dallas-urban-coop-single-slope-design.72422/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/yakisugi-coop.76398/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coreys-coop-de-doop.55619/

 

[SheaLoner]

Here is another one that may give you ideas. I personally would have placed the nestboxes externally where the roost ladder is in this design.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/elevated-coop-and-run.62820/

 

[Krugerrand]

Good point. I've collected some links for well-designed smaller coops here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/dallas-urban-coop-single-slope-design.72422/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/yakisugi-coop.76398/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coreys-coop-de-doop.55619/

This yakisugi coop article should be required reading when planning a small backyard coop. The detailed research that went into each decision is extremely educational. 'Decision' is the right word, as each step was done deliberately. And the article spells out why that decision was made. Other people may make other decisions, but reading this will better prepare one to build a coop.

 

[Mtrunker428]

looking at building a coop i can raise off the ground and with easy access. These plans look easy enough to build and large enough for the 5 hens I can keep in my area. Any big issues or missed option I should be worries about?

https://cdn.backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/cut-sheet.pdf

I think it is always better to try your ideas out. Chicken housing has no boundaries and has only been modified from ones mistakes. I started with scratch and then made adjustments along the way. I am almost positive that the my chickens actually liked when I did coop Reno's. Chickens are extremely hardy and forgiving. Just give em some scratch,grit, water... O and a mealworm here or there

 

[Zerandise]

I think it is always better to try your ideas out. Chicken housing has no boundaries and has only been modified from ones mistakes. I started with scratch and then made adjustments along the way. I am almost positive that the my chickens actually liked when I did coop Reno's. Chickens are extremely hardy and forgiving. Just give em some scratch,grit, water... O and a mealworm here or there

Thank you for the words. I very well might just do that.

 

[rjmyooper]

I've been thinking of building the floor of 1/2" hardware cloth, with a slide out drawer below it. Actually 2 slide outs, one in each direction, so it's not too heavy to empty the poop out. When it's hot a person could just leave the bottom open for extra venting.

 

[3KillerBs]

This yakisugi coop article should be required reading when planning a small backyard coop. The detailed research that went into each decision is extremely educational. 'Decision' is the right word, as each step was done deliberately. And the article spells out why that decision was made. Other people may make other decisions, but reading this will better prepare one to build a coop.

Yes, and with both chickens' needs and aesthetic preferences considered.

I've been thinking of building the floor of 1/2" hardware cloth, with a slide out drawer below it. Actually 2 slide outs, one in each direction, so it's not too heavy to empty the poop out. When it's hot a person could just leave the bottom open for extra venting.

That won't work because the poop of adult chickens is between the size of a golf ball and the size of a jumbo egg so it won't fall through, just pile up and stick.

The key thing with ventilation is to have it at the uppermost level because heat and ammonia both rise.

 

[Zerandise]

is there such thing as too much ventilation? It doesnt get cold here but it feels cold. I am on an island in the pacific ocean a 2 hour ferry ride from the mainland. even at 45 it's a two coat day. Add in the wind and constant wet and it makes the cold worse.

I know airflow is to keep moisture out but in these conditions does it keep enough heat in? I am not nearly as worried about it getting too hot in the summer. our summers are very mild at best. I just want to provide the best combo of clean air and protection from the elements I can to them.

 

[3KillerBs]

is there such thing as too much ventilation? It doesnt get cold here but it feels cold. I am on an island in the pacific ocean a 2 hour ferry ride from the mainland. even at 45 it's a two coat day. Add in the wind and constant wet and it makes the cold worse.

I know airflow is to keep moisture out but in these conditions does it keep enough heat in? I am not nearly as worried about it getting too hot in the summer. our summers are very mild at best. I just want to provide the best combo of clean air and protection from the elements I can to them.

The only way to have too much ventilation is to either have the wind blowing on the birds when they're sitting on their roost or to have it blowing rains sideways through the coop.

We don't need to keep the birds warm by keeping heat in the coop. We keep them dry and out of the wind and they keep themselves warm with their built-in down parkas down to 0F and even below.

 

[Zerandise]

ok sounds good! so much to learn!