Tractor questions

[Rowdyrabbit]

I've been looking around here for a while and have looked at many tractor plans. I've got the basic design I want in my head but I have a few questions before I start.
My plan is to have a 14' run with the coop portion built over part of it. How high should the bottom of the coop be from the ground to allow for hanging the feeder and waterer underneath? I know that depends on the particular feeder, but in general what is a good height?
I originally planned to make it 14' long and 4' wide, but have since thought of maybe making it 5' wide. The coop would be either 4x4 or 4x5. How much of a difference would that one foot make. I know it adds 4 square feet to the coop and many say that is enough to add one more bird. I plan to build the nest boxes onto the outside, so they will not take up any of that room. I was planning to house 4-5 birds in this. Is that a safe amount for this footage? Or high or low? I plan to get medium or larger breed birds.
I plan to use a 2x4 for the roost board. How high from the floor or from the roof should it be? I planned to make the walls 4' tall.
I see some coops that have the nest boxes on the back wall and others with it on the side wall. What is the advantage to either design?
I have most of my details worked out, but I've been unable to find this information by searching. Any other tips would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Rowdyrabbit]

I guess my most important question is should I go with 4'x5'' or will 4'x4' be plenty? I certainly don't want to cramp things up, but I don't want to have wasted materials left and add too much extra weight. I can get the 4x4 out of 2 sheets of plywood, whereas the 4x5 would need 3 or 4.
This is the main thing I've got in my way of starting to build. Any advice I can get would be appreciated.

 

[jetdog]

Go bigger from the get go, if you don't want the aggravation of trying to add on later.

 

[Rowdyrabbit]

That's the thought I had too. Wasn't sure how much weight it would add, though. is 4 feet tall plenty high for the coop walls? How high should the roost board be placed?

Thanks

 

[jetdog]

4 feet is ok but I would do a pitched roof not a slope, the more head room the better, the roost need to be higher than the nestbox ,they will always go to the highest point they can do a 2x4 flat side up and ventilation above their heads. Screwed up next pic is how I did my vents.

 

[jetdog]

One on each end and left open all winter, no frostbite no problems at all.

 

[Rowdyrabbit]

So you recommend a gable type rook over a single slope shed style? If the nest boxes are completely outside the walls with only an opening to the inside, does the roost board still need to be higher? I figure I am probably over thinking it some, but I don't want to be building another one 2 or 3 months down the road.

 

[jetdog]

Yes the gable type will give them good head room and make it easy to get the proper ventilation, the roost needs to be just a little bit higher than the boxes they will always go to the highest level they can. If you find evidence that they have been in the boxes block it off no need until they are real close to laying.

 

[Rowdyrabbit]

I'm going to get some hens that are already laying first, so I should need the boxes pretty soon.
I think I pretty much have my plan worked out for now in my head. The last couple of questions I have are how high off of the ground the put the coop portion and where to put the best boxes. I'm thinking 20-24" should be fine for the coop height.
The door for the coop will be on the front. Does it matter, or is there a preferred place, whether the nest boxes are in the back of the side?

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[jetdog]

24 inches should be fine, my door is set to one side figured if the wind was blowing they would have a quiet place, nest boxes should be a little off the floor easy for them to walk in. Put the boxes so they are easy for you to get at,i have 3 boxes and they generally only use one.