Woods coop enclosed run help

[Medda]

@JackE what about predators from above? Do you have the netting covered in any way?
thanks, Medda

 

[Percheron chick]

Unless the lay of the land prevents you, put the run on the off side. You will almost double the size of the run by using the 16' side of the coop as opposed to the 8' front as one side. It will be an odd shaped run but it is stronger having a convex curve than straight lines. You will need to build an independent cover structure if you need weather protection in the run. If it can only go on the front than either go with clear roofing panels or build it below the front window (only about 2' tall).
The woods coop is such an attractive structure, I would rather not have my view obscured by chain link.

 

[JackE]

@JackE what about predators from above? Do you have the netting covered in any way?
thanks, Medda

The area is too big, to cover with a net. And, as far as aerial preds go. This has been the worst winter I've had. The hawks have been relentless. The chickens have spent a lot of time in the coop. With me shutting them in, or choosing to stay in on their own.

 

[lazy gardener]

I've been mulling the idea of a portable Wood's style coop that could be pre-fab in panelized components, and then set up on site. The thing that causes me concern is the large header required under the clerestory windows. But, that would not really be necessary. If the back section were built as a simple 4 x 8 shed, with conventional studded walls, the sheathing could be either installed or left off under the windows. The front shed portion could be added at original build time, or added at a later date. While the open studding on that connecting wall would not be conventional, the chickens would not mind slipping between the studs to pass between back and front portions. I may never build one, or I may some time play around with the concept. I think it would be cool to sell the components that could then be assembled on site with nuts/bolts.

 

[JackE]

I built the framework for my coop in my garage(Because it was too cold outside). The side wall's framing was built in two parts, for each side. The front and back wall frames and the upper monitor section were built separately. Then, I built the deck/floor on site, carried the frames down to the site and put it all together.

 

[Medda]

@JackE or @Howard E , what windows did you use for the top? I’ve tried searching for transom windows or hopper windows but some are way to pricey or they say basement window. It’s a bit confusing trying to figure it all out.
Thanks, Medda

 

[Howard E]

In the modern era world, it might look something like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TAFCO-W...ge-Awning-Vinyl-Window-White-VA3214/203426845

These are made in various sizes, but this one probably could have been made to fit my 8' x 12' Woods house. The instructions with the window would tell you the size of the opening needed, and these would then just slide in place.

In my parents home (the basement of which is now about 60 years old), the basement windows are found in wells. They look like this, except are galvanized angle iron....but otherwise look pretty much like these do.

The problem with both of these options is the screen. A regular window screen in a dusty chicken house is probably going to clog up and get filthy in no time. So the screening needs to be hardware cloth or my preference, 1/2" x 1" x 16 gauge welded wire.

In his book Woods mentioned that making the windows as being the only thing beyond the ability of someone with very basic carpentry skills. He advised hiring someone to build those for you. I wasn't that bright. After forgetting to check craigslist, then searching through stacks of old wooden casement windows in the salvage shops, habitat for humanity, etc, and coming up empty handed, I got frustrated and built my own. But I have the basic skills and equipment to do it. Simply 2 x 4 lumber ripped down to proper size. Corners fitted with slip joints, etc.

The way this guy does it is the easiest I've seen if you want to try these yourself.

So you may need to make 4 of these. 4?

Two outward opening windows.......but if those are left open, that means big gap that birds or varmints could climb through. So if open, you need a screen on the inside. So for the inside, same framing, but instead of glass, you use the hardware cloth, etc. Both hinge at the top. If windows are down, screens can be hinged up and out of the way. Windows open, screens lowered?

BTW, for my regular windows, I went with cheap (about $20 each) vinyl single pane barn windows from Lowes. No painting. Installed mine so they slide open.

Whatever the case, this is a well vented chicken house. Cheap and loose fitting are actually better than tight.

 

[Howard E]

BTW, this is how the framing for the windows was done. I was taught how to do a lot of this stuff by my dad, whose motto might have been "if one stick of wood is good enough, 3 is better". So his stuff (and now mine) tends to get overbuilt.

But done this way, you cane make the window opening about any size you want. This is also how I framed the transom opening so the weight of the entire roof...actually both roofs.....transfers to the sidewall supports.



Initially, I ran out of time......birds had to be moved in and windows were not ready. So for a short term fix, made a cheap frame from scrap lumber, used some leftover drops of plastic roofing from the front and just covered the opening so it would not rain in. It worked so well, I've never installed the regular windows. I have them.....and first warm day when I'm not swamped with work, and when the wind isn't honking, they will go in.
Have devised a simple, but hopefully sturdy and effective latch solution to hold the real windows open. Stay tuned!

 

[aart]

what windows did you use for the top?

I have a clerestory shed, looks like a Woods-but is not, that my coop is in.
It has/had vinyl slider window panels that were framed and cleated in place as static lights, I just removed some framing and added top hinges and DIY closures.

Building a frame with stops and slanted sills may allow you to use old scavenged window panels.

 

[JackE]

@JackE or @Howard E , what windows did you use for the top? I’ve tried searching for transom windows or hopper windows but some are way to pricey or they say basement window. It’s a bit confusing trying to figure it all out.
Thanks, Medda

I got all the windows for my coop off E-Bay. They were cheap, when I built the coop. As far as the monitor windows go. Today, I would just built them myself. Using the YouTube clip that Howard linked to as a guide, You can do a lot with a small, cheap tablesaw and a router. You can get glass cut to any size you want. To me, if you are going to build your own coop, the windows are nothing.