Will my coop sink? (New to this)

[Ridgerunner]

Then I fully support what Pat said. I recommend you sink some posts for your fence, concrete them in, and put wire on them for your run. Use the aprons since that is a lot less digging. You need to attach the apron to the bottom of the fence. A lot of people use hog rings for that but I personally like J-clips. Both are available at Tractor Supply. Just ask. Don't forget to factor in the costs of the tools for applying them.

I'd also set posts for all four corners of the coop portion. You can use a run post for the coop if your configuration allows.

I think this solves your foundation problem and uneven ground problem.

 

[patandchickens]

FWIW, in my experience, concreted-in posts rot significantly faster than ones set directly into the ground.

Concrete does add a *little* ballast vs wind load, but not much, and you can get the same effect by other methods that affect your posts less.

JME,

Pat

 

[merryberry]

So I've been reading some more, and have another question - is it ok to use 4x4's? Or do I need to use 4x6's (which seems to be the standard for small buildings)? I want this to be sturdy, but I'm not building a house, you know?

 

[patandchickens]

For posts, you mean? pressure-treated 4x4s will be quite adequate. YOu'd only need to go up to a 4x6 if it was bearing a lot more load e.g. from a larger (and larger-span) roof with accordingly larger/heavier rafters and beams.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Rachela]

FWIW, in my experience, concreted-in posts rot significantly faster than ones set directly into the ground.

Concrete does add a *little* ballast vs wind load, but not much, and you can get the same effect by other methods that affect your posts less.

JME,

Pat

Planning up our coop. So don’t concrete just put in ground the 4x4’s?