Coop design feedback - Austin TX

[Chasiubao]

Hey all, I drew up plans (sorry if it’s hard to read) for a stationary coop with attached run to house 4 chickens.

Austin is pretty warm year round with the exception of ~3 weeks or so in winter, so I’m not sure if I’m over/under designing for coop ventilation, I’m planning for a hardware cloth covered opening on each side of the coop. The coop and run would be placed under some shade.

A couple notes:

• Dimensions:
  • Coop 4’x4’x5’ at the top
  • Coop+Run 12’x4’x5’
• Planning to put the whole thing on a paving stone perimeter and add a 2’ apron around the outside (thought about using HW cloth for the floor but with pavers everything would be elevated ~2”)
• I’ve seen roosts placed in corners so I thought I’d try the opposing corners with different heights
• There’s 4 openings to the coop:
  • Hinged roof (polycarb panels) over the coop opens for cleaning
  • Back door opens for cleaning
  • Side door opens to the nests
  • Front pop hole above the ramp, planning to add an automatic door there
• Planning to use pvc tubes (not pictured) for feed, grit, water that can be refilled from the outside

Any thoughts or questions? I’m a little worried to start cutting wood without feedback

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unless you are very short I would go taller, and wider on the run at least, if possible. Cleaning a run without being able to stand upright is not enjoyable for anyone.

The reason for going wider is two-fold: 1) to give you more run space overall, as you're close to the minimum recommendation and 2) because narrow width runs make it difficult for low ranked chickens to pass by a higher ranked bird, as it puts them in the higher ranked bird's personal space.

Your coop ramp is also too steep though that's an easy fix.

How does the hinged roof over the coop latch down? Have you tried mocking up the materials that would go into that and seeing how much it weighs? I also don't know if the polycarb panels would be problematic as far as trapping in heat vs. an opaque roof. Or will this unit be placed under a source of deep shade?

Given your climate you might want to consider opening up the entire inner wall of the coop, or having it as wire mesh, as ample ventilation is so important in your climate.

 

[aart]

@rosemarythyme had hit the high points of feedback.

But I just have to say, as a career drafter, that's some excellent drafting work.

sorry if it’s hard to read

A real joy to see a legitimate layout.

I’m a little worried to start cutting wood without feedback

Always a good plan.

 

[Chasiubao]

Unless you are very short I would go taller, and wider on the run at least, if possible. Cleaning a run without being able to stand upright is not enjoyable for anyone.

The reason for going wider is two-fold: 1) to give you more run space overall, as you're close to the minimum recommendation and 2) because narrow width runs make it difficult for low ranked chickens to pass by a higher ranked bird, as it puts them in the higher ranked bird's personal space.

Your coop ramp is also too steep though that's an easy fix.

How does the hinged roof over the coop latch down? Have you tried mocking up the materials that would go into that and seeing how much it weighs? I also don't know if the polycarb panels would be problematic as far as trapping in heat vs. an opaque roof. Or will this unit be placed under a source of deep shade?

Given your climate you might want to consider opening up the entire inner wall of the coop, or having it as wire mesh, as ample ventilation is so important in your climate.

Thanks! I didn’t even think about their “territories” based on rank.

I thought about the panels trapping heat, they sell a variety with a % of light leak so was going to do opaque for the coop, and semi translucent for the run. Was going to use two hasp latches with carabiners to lock it down. I was planning to have the coop butted up on the south side by some trees which should help with shade.

Also great point about the inner wall being mesh, I’ll try that!

 

[Chasiubao]

@rosemarythyme had hit the high points of feedback.

But I just have to say, as a career drafter, that's some excellent drafting work.

A real joy to see a legitimate layout.


Always a good plan.

Oh thank you! I am/was a MechE and worked in mfg so I know a bit about drafting and drawings (although never drafted a coop before!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree on the drafting as a civil engineer. Easy to read.

I agree on Rosemary's points, especially the height. Not only is a higher roof easier on your back, a taller coop can have more of a chimney effect, creating better air movement. You still need to be able to reach every part of the enclosed coop section.

A white or light colored roof reflects heat. A dark roof absorbs heat. I've cooked before using a solar oven, basically a black box set in the sun lined with aluminum foil to radiate the heat. A clear or translucent panel can have a greenhouse effect, magnifying heat. With the hardware cloth on the coop section I don't think having enough light will be a problem. Especially if you make at least a part of the interior wall out of hardware cloth.

Your record low in Austin was -2 F (-19 C), way back when I was young. Chicken can usually handle that well as long as they have good ventilation and are out of a direct breeze. You might consider how you'd block off that interior wall to stop a breeze where they sleep. But that should be a rare occurrence. I'd worry a lot more about your heat.

Looks good.

 

[KyCoop]

Do I see your pop door (chicken door) next to the outside wall of the run? If it is, I would move it closer to the middle or put up some solid panels next to the ramp. If some thing like a hawk comes after them having to run towards the threat cuts off their escape into the coop route. Does that make sense?

Also did you say hardware cloth on the run floor?

 

[Chasiubao]

Do I see your pop door (chicken door) next to the outside wall of the run? If it is, I would move it closer to the middle or put up some solid panels next to the ramp. If some thing like a hawk comes after them having to run towards the threat cuts off their escape into the coop route. Does that make sense?

Also did you say hardware cloth on the run floor?

Good idea, I haven’t mapped out exactly how far the chicken door is from the edge of the run, but I could definitely move it closer to center.

I was thinking of leaving the run floor dirt and whatever grass has grown there (not much where I’m placing it), with the addition of a 2’ apron around the perimeter

 

[KyCoop]

Yes, perfect. Dirt floor run with an apron is what you want. Alot of folks want to put hardware cloth on the run floor to keep diggers out but that creates a whole other problem with chicken feet's and toes.
Move that pop door over. Oh and then we will have to talk about that ramp.

 

[CBaron]

As a new chicken owner I don't have a lot of feedback to give. But also as a resident of Austin, I wanted to follow this post. We've had our flock (of 3) for about 4 mos and I can already see some adjestments we might need to make for our coop.

Thanks
CJB