Bones of a Coop

[Sperticus]

Before I list the other details, what is everyone’s suggestion on making a coop structurally sound for wind as the main environmental factor.
When talking about bones of the coop, let’s not set off the warning bells but I am talking structure lol. I have just put the posts in this weekend and am preparing to get the rest ready to go. 8x9.5 and 2-3 feet off the ground. My biggest concern is being structurally sound. We have very high winds out here so my first concern is making sure it is sound and I’m personally someone when it comes to things like this, I’d rather be overkill when it comes to support.
- I plan to use lag bolts to attach floor, walls and roof (A frame design)
- Posts are cemented 3ft under ground, but just the four corners, should I put 2 more on either side in the middle all the way up the wall?
- 2x8 floor frame, 2x6 floor joists, 2x4 wall joists.

 

[DancesWithRoosters]

Cementing the posts def helps a TON. Nothing is moving that wood! But, a house can still fly away...

better safe than sorry, always.

galeforce winds where my enemy in ireland, and im here to tell you: Big Rock.
Boulders, stones, gravel, etc. All help to add extra support and weight.

Your beams from that photo look like your average building lumber. (also, cute kid.)
you can use metal beams later for more wind oomph, or you could use cinderblock placement ontop of tarps over the area for when youre really worried. This is a bit hillbilly but it works ;D

When the winds came in ireland we did lose a coop, once. Even good sturdy wood can rip off nails, and bolts.

We had posts in the middle of the coop, and the four corners. Kinda like florida flood homes, etc. Those are SUPER structurally sound. If you look into the building of off-ground housing, it may give some more ideas.

We used stones and gravel filled tarps bolted/stapled to the coop for extra weight distribution and to hold it down.
We did have lower coop, though.

Large logs can be placed around to give the ground more pressure, holding onto cement better/quicker (used this for cow fencing when the ground wouldnt set.)

Wind walls are also an option, placed on specific areas of the coop to divert gusts away.
Youve done quite the job of thinking up wind solutions already
Honestly, the ideas are endless.

Goodluck and let me know what you come up with?

 

[Sperticus]

Cementing the posts def helps a TON. Nothing is moving that wood! But, a house can still fly away...

better safe than sorry, always.

galeforce winds where my enemy in ireland, and im here to tell you: Big Rock.
Boulders, stones, gravel, etc. All help to add extra support and weight.

Your beams from that photo look like your average building lumber. (also, cute kid.)
you can use metal beams later for more wind oomph, or you could use cinderblock placement ontop of tarps over the area for when youre really worried. This is a bit hillbilly but it works ;D

When the winds came in ireland we did lose a coop, once. Even good sturdy wood can rip off nails, and bolts.

We had posts in the middle of the coop, and the four corners. Kinda like florida flood homes, etc. Those are SUPER structurally sound. If you look into the building of off-ground housing, it may give some more ideas.

We used stones and gravel filled tarps bolted/stapled to the coop for extra weight distribution and to hold it down.
We did have lower coop, though.

Large logs can be placed around to give the ground more pressure, holding onto cement better/quicker (used this for cow fencing when the ground wouldnt set.)

Wind walls are also an option, placed on specific areas of the coop to divert gusts away.
Youve done quite the job of thinking up wind solutions already
Honestly, the ideas are endless.

Goodluck and let me know what you come up with?

Thank you so much for this, really appreciate all the advice.

 

[Ted Brown]

You should be using metal ties on key structural joints.

In Canada we have Simpson Strong Ties who provide all manner of engineered attachment configurations that will out perform any single fastener, lag bolt or otherwise. Cost varies from: cheap <$1 for a twist to attach rafter to frame; spendy (x$10s) for "L"s or "T"s to attach beams that will carry loads.

@DancesWithRoosters' post above had great suggestions! I would have his key points on a paper posted where you can have a quick look before you exit to build.