Topic of the Week - Building a Chicken Coop

[Patinas]

Roofing question. Opinions all helpful. So building a coop from scratch, new at this, my own design so no directions. Never built a building before. The reviews on pre-fab were scary.

If I build the entire coop and run prior to putting on the slant roof of plywood and metal roofing over that will that work? ...

That's pretty much how we did ours. For the coop we finished all the exterior framing and then put the roof on and then the siding. Once the roof is on you can work on finishing the interior.

For the run, same thing plus I covered all the sides with 1/2" hardware cloth before the roof when on. I did not put plywood down under the metal roofing for the run, just the roof stringers and put hardware cloth on the entire top of the run and then the metal roofing. Here's a pic of it completed but not yet painted entirely.

 

[lazy gardener]

Shed style roof? Got plans? I picked up a helpful book at my town recycle center. Put out by Sunset, titled Sheds and garages. It has building tips as well as some nice plans.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sheds-Ga...059210&wl11=online&wl12=8002499&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Sunset books are great!

 

[R.J.]

One chicken isn't going to be a happy chicken, they are flock animals. Depending on your local predators hardware cloth might be a better option.

I found out this hen was one of 5 hens that were bought and grew up together, idk if they are related though. Well this hen has killed 3 of the other hens growing up and was working on the 4th one, she picked all the feathers off her tail and back until it was bear skin.

 

[R.J.]

I found out this hen was one of 5 hens that were bought and grew up together, idk if they are related though. Well this hen has killed 3 of the other hens growing up and was working on the 4th one, she picked all the feathers off her tail and back until it was bear skin.

So I don't think she can be with other hens. She's a Rhode Island Red

 

[Mraya]

For all beginners.. Make it big! Real big. If you get "CHICKEN FEVER", you will want a few more hens. It is easier to build one house than build another later. You will see breeds that you desire or want a couple of the breed your friend has. If you get the fever for Chickens, you will want to expand your hobby.

I am a beginner and I made my coop so I could expand it if needed, then before it was done I expanded it to make it bigger "CHICKEN FEVER"

 

[jeria]

Patinas-- beautiful coop and run. I decided to do plywood under the metal due to the coons, I had them tear siding off my house to get into my attic, there was a piece of siding that had slipped and left a small opening and they simply tore the side of my house apart. Plus with our winds a metal roof with nothing under it is asking for a mess. 80+ mph winds a few nights ago in a storm. Not that unusual.

 

[jeria]

Shed style roof? Got plans? I picked up a helpful book at my town recycle center. Put out by Sunset, titled Sheds and garages. It has building tips as well as some nice plans.

I have that book. Though right now it is sitting on my shelf at work, I have been studying it and helpful in drawing out my plans. Building coops for dummies isn't helpful for roofs or foundations/base of the coop and run.

 

[jeria]

I am a beginner and I made my coop so I could expand it if needed, then before it was done I expanded it to make it bigger "CHICKEN FEVER"

I'm also building mine big enough for the maximum number of chickens allowed here in the city. Started out wanting 2 ordered 4.

 

[Patinas]

Patinas-- beautiful coop and run. I decided to do plywood under the metal due to the coons, I had them tear siding off my house to get into my attic, there was a piece of siding that had slipped and left a small opening and they simply tore the side of my house apart. Plus with our winds a metal roof with nothing under it is asking for a mess. 80+ mph winds a few nights ago in a storm. Not that unusual.

Plywood is perfectly fine to use. I didn't put it on the roof of the run only because I figured hardware cloth would be sufficient for the predator load in my area and decided to save the $$'s for other amenities for the coop. I like that you're putting thought into preventing predators from breaking in!

Be sure to post pics of your coop when you get it completed!