Cardboard coop models

[Player Hater]

I have a lot of cardboard boxes left from moving, and I was thinking about using some of them to help me work out a coop design/floorplan.

Anyone ever tried making scale models of coops? I may post pics later if I decide to try it...

 

[Manok-Tao]

That's a cool idea, I did all my trials on paper after looking at tons of coop designs on this sight. You sound like someone that likes to tinker with ideas until you say "yup that's it.
not sure how new you are to having chickens and a coop but spending a few hours poking around this site both the learning areas, the coop pictures and especially the message board will give you a lot of insight on what you want and don't want..Lokking forward to those cardboard coop model pictures.

 

[Player Hater]

Zero experience, that's why I want to have a good solid plan before I start waving a hammer around.

 

[Manok-Tao]

Well you'll find great info and advice here. Are you planning a fixed coop or a tractor? How many birds will you have? What's your weather like? Any ordinances?
That's were I started answering those...then soak up the knowledge from this site. Have you looked through the coop pictures on this site, there are hundreds. Great place to get an idea of what you want.
Check out my page and you'll see where I'm at as of yesterday on my new build.

 

[Player Hater]

look in my intro thread if you want more info on my plan/situation

 

[gryeyes]

I'm one of the people who has made cardboard scale models of coops and nest boxes before building them. I'm "plans challenged" so I need to put them together first to really understand what I'm doing. PLUS it's given me chances to make changes and see how that window looks on that wall, should I have the people door open on this side or that one? etc.

I made two coop models in 1 cm = 2 ft scale, and the nest box in 1 cm = 6 in. scale. Kinda giganto nest box, compared to the coops...

But those processes sure helped me!

 

[natashad]

I made a cardboard model. Here it is:

...and what we ended up with (slightly different than the cardboard model and still in progress).

 

[Chieftain]

That's a great idea! Anything that helps you visualize what it is you need to build is a big help. I use graph paper to draw everything out and that helps me build things square too...

 

[gryeyes]

Oh, lordy! Compare my model to yours:

I have yet to build this particular coop. But I'm champing at the bit to start on it! It will be 4 ft by 8 ft, with the back height of 6 ft and the front 4 ft.

 

[happyhensny]

Gryeyes - my only suggestion as to the coop you want to make is that I have one just about exactly like it.

Our door is on the short end too - hard to clean out coop. Make sure it is wide enough to get shovel around.

Our roosts are opposite the door - works fine.

Nests are immediately on the left of the door - works ok but hard to shovel under.

Good luck!