Growing our flock: New bigger coop? Remodel existing coop? Add second coop?

[chickenrennie]

I was confused by your first picture, second above clarifies.

I suggest that you talk to your reputable builder about modifying what you have. By that I mean use it largely intact (cost to deconstruct wasted).

My wild thought to a Woods coop:

1. Turn your 4 x 8 coop 90 degrees so that low side faces your house & south slightly east (high front wall removed as two sections are integrated into one).
2. Build a new attached back 8 x 8 section to give an 8 x 12 coop foot print (24 chickens!). Holds monitor window above existing coop...
3. I would elevate both by 3'+ to give year round covered run space.

If you have a good, resourceful builder this could be cheapest route to a nice setup.

Good luck.

Thank you for your ideas @Ted Brown!

In this case, I am the reputable builder. I love the idea of utilizing our existing coop as the front/open portion of a Woods coop!

Great idea!

Though you cannot tell from the snow cover in my photo, my current coop is raised 2' on skids and the girls do spend a fair amount of time under there.

 

[chickenrennie]

@Ted Brown, what did you use for interior paint?

 

[Ted Brown]

@Ted Brown, what did you use for interior paint?

Whitewash, from back in the day.

Basically hydrated lime mixed with water+. Powder in a bag ~$25. More coats = more white, goes on like thick water.

 

[ChaosMom]

Whitewash, from back in the day.

Basically hydrated lime mixed with water+. Powder in a bag ~$25. More coats = more white, goes on like thick water.

Did you do any priming first, or just apply multiple layers?

 

[Ted Brown]

My sister started on new dry rough cut lumber. Big brush, 6" or so.

Apply with abandon. Let 1st coat dry, apply. 2 coats has lasted 5+years, rough now but slap another coat on top. Said to deter micro organisms.

 

[chickenrennie]

My sister started on new dry rough cut lumber. Big brush, 6" or so.

Apply with abandon. Let 1st coat dry, apply. 2 coats has lasted 5+years, rough now but slap another coat on top. Said to deter micro organisms.

What about the black around the lower part of the walls and on the floors?

 

[Ted Brown]

What about the black around the lower part of the walls and on the floors?

That is BlackJack 57, it is a roofing product that is often touted on this forum.

My experience with it - excellent after 5+ years.

 

[chickenrennie]

That is BlackJack 57, it is a roofing product that is often touted on this forum.

My experience with it - excellent after 5+ years.

Thank you! Sounds messy

I'm also curious about your foundation structure. Did you simply place your posts in the concrete blocks, or did you dig post holes, fill with concrete, etc?

 

[Ted Brown]

@chickenrennie

The difference between 2' off ground vs 3'+ (differences in ground level?) is never (once maybe) vs you will go under a few times a year and not regret it. That height allows 5' 10" crunch walking with overhead hands for balance. The other is on one's belly.

I strongly recommend building a single 8 x 12 elevated frame and then getting a backhoe to lift current coop onto the front portion and get rid of unsightly mounds at the same time.

Will make the project come together up front; you could even continue to use it as a coop throughout...

 

[Ted Brown]

Thank you! Sounds messy

I'm also curious about your foundation structure. Did you simply place your posts in the concrete blocks, or did you dig post holes, fill with concrete, etc?

BJ57 requires clothes to be disposed of when job is finished.

4x4 squares for both the posts & beams, in six "patio blocks", I screwed the walls directly to the beams. Coop is protected from winds by a 32x32 garage. Use your judgment if in a windy location (earth screw hold downs do exits).