Woods Style 10 x 16 Coop Build

[gwlangston]

Hello all! I started searching this site several months ago when I started planning a new coop. After some research, I opted for a Woods open air coop; bought the book, drew out the plans, and got to work. It took about two months total as I live in Missouri but have to fly to Utah routinely for work. Breaking up the Ozark soil (i.e. mostly clay and rock) for the posts drew the most amount of cursing/mumbling under my breath…but once I got through that, it was a blast! I covered the floor in asphalt roofing sealer in the hopes it would protect the wood and I wouldn’t be putting tar paper down. I have all the plans I drew up still; I can upload them when I get back to MO if anyone is interested.

I have 30 chicks that are almost 3 weeks old, living in a couple of big livestock watering troughs in the greenhouse currently. 5 each of black sex link, barred rock, Wyandotte, Rhode Island Red, Welsummer, and some silkie banties (banties were per my two daughters’ request.) Will move them out to the coop soon as they’re about out of room in the troughs; there are nine existing hens in an old coop. I intend to build a smaller run inside the bigger run so the chicks and big birds can get to know one another. The existing hens will stay in the old coop for a month or two and then I’ll put them all in the new coop (once the new chicks are quite a bit bigger.)

Figured I’d post this as I know I certainly scoured this site for info when I was planning mine. Thanks for taking the time to look!

 

[Ted Brown]

I built a 10 by 16 Woods KD three years ago, brilliant choice. I love the "matching" entrances.

Pictures all round of the inside would be great!

 

[gwlangston]

I built a 10 by 16 Woods KD three years ago, brilliant choice. I love the "matching" entrances.

Pictures all round of the inside would be great!

Only have one on the phone; will take more when I get back. The older looking nesting boxes on the right are out of an old coop my grandpa built decades ago.

Some of the lumber is from an old shed torn down this summer, hence the different colored rafters.

 

[Ted Brown]

Your grandfather's nest box is the "best thing" about the coop, good on you!!!

I am surprised at how much difference window location makes. I will post a few of my interior (white nest boxes are new to accommodate 12 new pullets.)

I just went back to find some pics, I have made a lot of changes. I very much LOVE my drop boards, makes cleaning much easier.

 

[3KillerBs]

Great job!

 

[gwlangston]

Your grandfather's nest box is the "best thing" about the coop, good on you!!!

I am surprised at how much difference window location makes. I will post a few of my interior (white nest boxes are new to accommodate 12 new pullets.)

I just went back to find some pics, I have made a lot of changes. I very much LOVE my drop boards, makes cleaning much easier.

Thanks!

If you don’t mind, tell me a little more about your drop boards. I was toying with deep litter but I’m afraid might have too many chickens for that to work. Do you pull the sheets of plywood out and scrape them or just leave them in place with no shavings and shovel straight off?

 

[Ted Brown]

@gwlangston i use both drop boards and deep bedding in the coop.

Drop boards are the best. Mounted 8-12" under the roosts, ~75+ % of waste lands on the boards covered with "sweet PDZ" overnight. I collect most mornings and pop it into the compost pile.

Mount the drop boards at a height that you can clean without bending too far (your back will love you).

Deep bedding (four bags of pine shaving, add as needed through the year) on the floor. Move old shavings into run in the spring, start again.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Your coop looks amazing!!! Nicely done!!!

 

[gwlangston]

@gwlangston i use both drop boards and deep bedding in the coop.

Drop boards are the best. Mounted 8-12" under the roosts, ~75+ % of waste lands on the boards covered with "sweet PDZ" overnight. I collect most mornings and pop it into the compost pile.

Mount the drop boards at a height that you can clean without bending too far (your back will love you).

Deep bedding (four bags of pine shaving, add as needed through the year) on the floor. Move old shavings into run in the spring, start again.

Got it; thanks for explaining! It appears you blocked off under the drop boards; do you ever open it up or simply use it for storage?

 

[Ted Brown]

I use that area for holding young chicks during the integration process. The "look don't touch" separation then allow the chicks to come and go through small doors.

Area is mostly open and part of coop.