Vote--------Is it better to build an 8' by 12' or an 8' by 8'?

[wendid1]

Quote:

this should be a rule of thumb!

 

[nivtup]

My only vote is for you to use cheap plywood instead of OSB if at all possible.

You can always build more coops

 

[chicken_angler]

Quote:
What do you mean cheap plywood?

OSB here is the cheapest thing I can find. It is $4.97 for 7/16 inch thick wood.

Plywood runs about double that.

Thanks for all the ideas. There are some really cool ones. One I came up with was this:

Please let me build this coop becasue it just gives me more experience in my business. Then I can build more intricate designs for peoples' coops! (since I make coops)


Right now, I am just about finished with a 5' by 6' coop for a BYC'er. It is awesome. I put in a brand new window in the back and another in the door. I will start a thread with pics of it maybe tomorrow.

Thanks,
Cody!!

 

[SC_Hugh]

OSB isn't recommended for exterior use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriented_strand_board

Plywood will hold up better and give your customers a better long lasting chicken coop. Prime and paint, it will last!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plywood

You have a good gig started, build a quality product and you will sell more of them...

--Hugh

 

[cowman910]

definetely a stupid question! always go with the bigger coop because u never know what great deals you find when buying eggs and chicks and u will always be regreting the smaller coop! LOl

 

[chicken_angler]

Quote:
I understand what you are saying about the plywood lasting longer. The only thig is that a sheet of plywood here costs around $15 to $20. And thats for only one sheet!

I cant bare paying for that right now especially when it takes 10 or 15 sheets per coop!

I have been looking around for different prices wherever I go sh that I can find some better wood.

Thanks for the help!
Cody!!

 

[BioBob]

Quote your customers 2 prices, one with OSB and one with plywood, and let them decide.

On the coop, I would build the smaller one and make the blank end a removable cap so to speak. Build the end as a removable piece, attach with lag screws, and expand when you have the money.

Best done with a shed type roof.

 

[Raz'sRoost]

Have you thought of using cost effective materials? When I looked around the coop section here I got many ideas to build my coop and was able to keep costs low by using pallets (free) and also checked the newspaper, craigslist, and free-cycle for free materials....not only does this help keep the costs down but helps keep stuff outta the land fills!


Good luck and hope you remember to take pictures of your progress and post them!

 

[Davis5454]

Forget the cost and build it for the size of the flock plus a little extra !!!

You won't regret making it nice in the end.

PS - If you are only putting in 4 hens and never growing any more though.....well......in that case a doghouse and some fencing would work.

I have 3 horse stables converted to chicken pens......2 of them work fine.....one is a little small for the number I have.... SOOOO.....I need to build another rooster house and a jersey giant house. GO BIGGER !!!

 

[chicken_angler]

Quote:
Thats a great idea about quoting two prices! Also the idea of making the end removable is cool! I really want to have a coop with all sorts of pens in it like everyone's here. We have a long tin shed on our property but the roof is in bad shape. If the roof was in better shape, I would definitely use it! It woudlnt be hard to get electric re-ran out there and it is huge! I would guess it to be 10' by 25'! The roof is flat on it so maybe we can try to fix it so the roof has a little more of a slope on it. If we could do that, I would definitely use it! It is in great shape otherwise!

Cody!!