Where to get the best/most chicken coop plans!!!!

[k2chickens]

So i have the cash...($300) and the time....all i need now are the COOP PLANS!

Well...i REALLY don't want to spend 300 in materials..but that is the most i have to offer. So i was wondering where were the best place to get coop plans were???

I have ran through E-BAY and have accepted that fact that im more than likely gonna have to pay for the plans...so that's fine. I think 10 or 15 bucks for direction's is a good price and well worth it over just spearheading the project myself. Here are my condition's

I have plenty of space on my farm...but will probly lay my coop on the grass in my yard. I currently have 12 chicks rangeing from 5 weeks old to 1 week old. They were all chosen to be hen's.."but as we all know" roo's tend to pop up...and as of right now i believe i have a few of them

So the coop will have to hold at LEAST 8 to 10 laying hen's. Im REALLY attracted to the A-FRAME coop and run design.

So, that's basicly where im at in a nut shell...there is a user on here that built a BEAUTIFULL A-frame coop that you can find in the "small coop design" section here on BYC and i am thinking of contacting that person in reguards to their coop so i can build the same one. Only problem is that it was designed to hold 4 to 5 hen's when i need mine to hold 8 to 10.

I hope MANY of you guy's can point me in the right direction. Im really excited to start and i hope to start ASAP. Thank you, and i hope i get lot's of suggestion's here really soon.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Just scale it up.

A small coop for 10 chickens should be no worries for $300. There are literally hundreds of ways to build a coop, so instead of "follow this plan," let me give you some "Do's." These are points you should plan for in any design, if you want success.

- Basically, build a small 8x8x6 shed with a generous roof.
In a place like Indiana, I would like a combination roof with a generous slope. But I'd be happy with a simple shed roof and weather boards over the windows.
- Use heavy felt and tar/cement for the roof.
You can get fancy here, but you dont need to. Proof against the elements and water tight is what you want, simply that.
- Insulate the coop well, in wall and ceiling.
- Face it south on well drained soil which does not gather water after a stiff rain.
- Use a double sheet or plank floor, to insulate from cold and damp.
- Put it up on 12" blocks to discourage rats and mice.
- Place 1/2" wire mesh around this open perimeter to further discourage them.
- Place bags full of leaves or starw bales around it in the winter to insulate the bottom from blowing wind.
- Give lots of air movement ventilation - NOT DRAFTS - and you are there.

The windows and fixtures are more important that the actual building.
- Windows should be full fronted and adjustable, screened with poultry netting. Mount one to either sied of the door.
- Shutter the windows with sliding or hinging shutters. Leave the top two inches open.
You want to open them wide in fair weather and draw them in inclement or frigid.
- You are really after a "fresh air house," one that can be tightened up for the weather/winter.
- There is little need for YOU to luxuriate inside the coop, so give more roosting space inside.
- The entrance door is in the middle front, as indicated already. Give it a hinged window top half, too.
- Place the nests so they are outside, hung the length of the coop on the exterior wall.
This makes for easy access and cleaning.
- Interior access to nests should be through a 12" circular hole, 3" above the floor.
- Make your roosts from 2 x 4's, edge-rounded and mounted on simple brackets, so they are removable for cleaning.
- Use dropping boards beneath the roosts, also removable for scraping and cleaning.
- The "pop-hole" for the chickens should be opposite the nests. Place it at floor level and make it solid wood or even metal sheet which slides in grooves, guillotine fashion. Put a chain on it so you can suspend it open, or lower it closed.
- Make a ganplank ramp to give the birds access to the pop-hole.
- Feed and water the birds outside as much as possible, since that is a chickens rightful place.

Final thought: you've noticed the concept of "clean" several times so far? It is your goal to make a house that is dry, weathertight and airy... AND which can be cleaned readily and quickly. Nothing suits healthy chickens as much as cleanliness.

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
Just scale it up.

ahhh yes...my thought's exactly...but i have no number's to scale from...i can't seem to get ahold of the user

 

[georgialee]

I read your post earlier today and just came across this picture: http://www.lattaplantation.org/images/vtours/chicken_coop/coop.jpg
Probably won't help you at all, but I thought it was pretty! Good luck!

 

[Nicola]

what about a playhouse coop i might have some plans for something similar

 

[astylishgirl]

I bought that A frame plan on ebay and I like it a lot! I also bought the playhouse plan. I like it too.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
If that is the one, it is a simple triangle. Go with dimensional sizes, say an 8 ft. wide base for your needs, and work from there.
How would that work?

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
really??? when??? i have looked and it's not there. Do you have feedback for the transaction?? Is there anyway i can have their ebay name so i can pm them please?

Quote:
wow!!! heck to the no!!! lol..thank's tho...i can get the pic of the coop i want to show you guy's what im talking about if that would help any?

Quote:
sure sounds like a plan!!!

 

[Nicola]

are u after playhouse plans or aframe?

 

[k2chickens]

Quote:
depend's on how close the playhouse is to the A frame..hold on a sec...i will host the picture and post it here in my thread to show you what is in my mind.

Edit: Here we go!