Hi guys!
We have several bigger coops, but now we're working on some breeder pens. The goal is for a simple, inexpensive, easy design to protect a small group (4-5) from the elements in our hot climate.
Today is build day for the first one, I thought I'd check if we are not thinking of something by asking you helpful people
Materials we have on hand:
100 ft Hw Cloth (1/2 in)
2, 8ft long Polycarbonate Roofing panels, in green so we can refer to it as "The Green Coop" (talking about who / where is hard).
6, 8ft long pressure treated 2x4's (Mom wanted 4x4's but I talked her into these because the store wouldn't cut 4x4's and we only have a sedan for transporting lumber)
4, 8 ft long 2x6's
A medley of assorted planks and sticks from the bargain bin (Mom was thinking to cut pieces for the roof framing from the 2x4's in this pile)
Brackets to connect the planks (you should have seen us in the aisle trying to figure out which goes where)
Screws: 2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 inch with fender washers
Caulk and gun and Mom that can actually operate it (for roof screws)
The Plan has been:
A single sloped roof, 4 X 8 under the roof with longways roost.
Open Air design (Mom's idea included a back to the coop, my idea involved backing it up near the house to cut any "winter breeze", but since I didn't get any wooden sheeting we'll just have to figure it out... somehow).
An incorporated run with HW Cloth.
I'm starting to wonder if a more complicated roof design (5 sided) would offer more wind protection. We don't get much wind, only during storms, but I wonder if I'll wish we planned for it. The location is sheltered by other buildings including the house, and heavy oak trees on the other side provide deep shade and a windbreak.
We have several bigger coops, but now we're working on some breeder pens. The goal is for a simple, inexpensive, easy design to protect a small group (4-5) from the elements in our hot climate.
Today is build day for the first one, I thought I'd check if we are not thinking of something by asking you helpful people
Materials we have on hand:
100 ft Hw Cloth (1/2 in)
2, 8ft long Polycarbonate Roofing panels, in green so we can refer to it as "The Green Coop" (talking about who / where is hard).
6, 8ft long pressure treated 2x4's (Mom wanted 4x4's but I talked her into these because the store wouldn't cut 4x4's and we only have a sedan for transporting lumber)
4, 8 ft long 2x6's
A medley of assorted planks and sticks from the bargain bin (Mom was thinking to cut pieces for the roof framing from the 2x4's in this pile)
Brackets to connect the planks (you should have seen us in the aisle trying to figure out which goes where)
Screws: 2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, 1 inch with fender washers
Caulk and gun and Mom that can actually operate it (for roof screws)
The Plan has been:
A single sloped roof, 4 X 8 under the roof with longways roost.
Open Air design (Mom's idea included a back to the coop, my idea involved backing it up near the house to cut any "winter breeze", but since I didn't get any wooden sheeting we'll just have to figure it out... somehow).
An incorporated run with HW Cloth.
I'm starting to wonder if a more complicated roof design (5 sided) would offer more wind protection. We don't get much wind, only during storms, but I wonder if I'll wish we planned for it. The location is sheltered by other buildings including the house, and heavy oak trees on the other side provide deep shade and a windbreak.
Keep in mind everyone that Sour Roses is my beloved daughter and always will want architectural drawings for everything, whereas I "best mother person in the world" is the "let's just build it" type ... this is going to be fun! right?
