Coop Design for 2025

[ILoveDaffy]

Hi, I have a few questions about my coop build for this year and wondered if y'all would mind helping me with them. I can post the link to the plan I'm using for reference. This will be for 8 chickens.

Spoiler: Coop plans

https://www.construct101.com/8x10-chicken-coop-plans/

First off, looking at it, this seems to need more ventilation. How would be best to add that to this design? Second, could I use OSB instead of plywood? Third, What are some of your favorite cost saving tips when building coops?

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

The coop has no ventilation. I would cut 1x3 holes in the front and above the nest box and replace with hardwire.

That run is really built like a tank. I would create the coop according to plan and use lighter material for the run, or place the coop in a dog run and use avian netting for the roof with a some additional sun cover.

I would use plywood.

 

[StinkyAcres]

First off, looking at it, this seems to need more ventilation. How would be best to add that to this design?

The best way would be to lengthen the roof overhangs and keep the soffits open as well as opening up the entire triangular section in the gable that is protected by the run roof.

Small holes are not enough.

Second, could I use OSB instead of plywood?

I wouldn't use OSB for the truss gussets as that is structural and will be exposed to the weather. I think OSB for the roof decking should be okay. If you use OSB as the floor decking you will want to protect it with waterproof flooring and a good paint on the underside.

Also - the run door NEEDS a diagonal brace!

 

[StinkyAcres]

I would also suggest another access door to the coop on the opposite side because 8 feet is a loooong way to reach.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

The best way would be to lengthen the roof overhangs and keep the soffits open as well as opening up the entire triangular section in the gable that is protected by the run roof.

Small holes are not enough.


I wouldn't use OSB for the truss gussets as that is structural and will be exposed to the weather. I think OSB for the roof decking should be okay. If you use OSB as the floor decking you will want to protect it with waterproof flooring and a good paint on the underside.

Also - the run door NEEDS a diagonal brace!

Thank you! I had considered opening up the triangle section in the gable, but wanted to be sure that was safe to do. Yeah, that door did not look very sturdy. The plan for the floor was to cover it with a vinyl flooring originally anyway, so that will work fine. This will not be a very cheap build, so I was looking to see if there were ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

I would also suggest another access door to the coop on the opposite side because 8 feet is a loooong way to reach.

It is a considerable distance. I think I will definitely do that.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

The coop has no ventilation. I would cut 1x3 holes in the front and above the nest box and replace with hardwire.

That run is really built like a tank. I would create the coop according to plan and use lighter material for the run, or place the coop in a dog run and use avian netting for the roof with a some additional sun cover.

I would use plywood.

I did think it looked sketchy in the ventilation department. My last coop was a hoop coop, so I didn't particularly have to worry about ventilation until this one, so it is still quite new to me. I will check some of the threads and articles about it. I was thinking about making the roof on the run just hardware cloth and putting a tarp over. Are you thinking it would be best to use a lighter wood on the run?

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

I did think it looked sketchy in the ventilation department. My last coop was a hoop coop, so I didn't particularly have to worry about ventilation until this one, so it is still quite new to me. I will check some of the threads and articles about it. I was thinking about making the roof on the run just hardware cloth and putting a tarp over. Are you thinking it would be best to use a lighter wood on the run?

I think the run is overkill. I would use t-posts and hardwire and avian netting for a roof. For a run door, get a fence door kit or a framed chain link gate door and attach it to the coop and a t-post for stability.

This site has a huge section on coop/run designs. I would flip through those for inspiration on a run.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

These examples of runs seem more reasonable. You will need a door for the first one.

 

[CalgaryFarmer]

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

Link 5

 

[ILoveDaffy]

These examples of runs seem more reasonable. You will need a door for the first one.

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Link 1

Link 2

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Link 5

Thank you! The second picture does look much more reasonable.