Mags’ New Forever Coop Build

[MagistraTn]

Here is my updated floorplan with roosts & perch in blue and windows (hwc with shutters in coop with, glass in shed) in orange.

is it looking ok? The poop board is 30” deep & 30” off the floor with a high (12” from wall) roost & the low one is 7” towards the middle from the high one. Is that too close?

 

[MagistraTn]

If I make the roof overhang 24”, do you think my shutters on the henhouse can swing outward, vs up? I thought up was better, bc you could crack them and still have shelter from wind and weather. But I think they may conflict with the soffits…

Here is the side elevation with two shutter options

And here is the gable end where you can see the overhang

I would like them to all be consistent. I was thinking they could be made with the same board & batten siding. I’m planning to keep all the soffits open on the coop side, but wanted to seal things from dust, drafts and moisture on the shed side & am struggling to see how that would look…

As for insulation, I want it on the roof to keep things cool in the summer. So I guess I am wondering if it should be rigid foam between the rafters or something more. I would think there needs to be osb on the shed/coop part, but just metal roof on the run?

 

[MagistraTn]

So, I’ve rearranged a bit with the roosts/poopboard. Is there any downside to putting the (automated) pop door under the poopboard?

The second photo is the wall of the structure which I’m struggling with how much to enclose.

If I only count the soffits and coop “windows” (hwc with shutters for inclement weather) I have ~ 38 sqft of ventilation. Screen door into the run would add 17 sqft. Obviously the shutters might be closed at times…

The wall from henhouse into the run is facing nw, with lots of shelter from the roof. Our prevailing weather is from the se.any thoughts?

 

[aart]

Will the run a have a solid roof?
Instead of side hinged 'shutters', think top hinged windows to shield open windows from rain infiltration when open and light when they are closed.

Pop door under board should be ok, depending on how much fiddling with it you might need to do from the inside. Install it so bottom of door is a good 8" above the floor to avoid bedding impeding it's operation.

 

[MagistraTn]

Will the run a have a solid roof?
Instead of side hinged 'shutters', think top hinged windows to shield open windows from rain infiltration when open and light when they are closed.

Pop door under board should be ok, depending on how much fiddling with it you might need to do from the inside. Install it so bottom of door is a good 8" above the floor to avoid bedding impeding it's operation.

Thank you. Yes there will be a solid roof, with a ridge vent. I first had the idea of upward hinged shutters, but since I’m planning a 24” roof overhang, i don’t think there would be any added shelter ( unless the weather is coming in horizontally, in which case I think I would close them?) and I’d only be able to swing them up 90degrees before they hit the eves.

The pop door we have (pullet shut door) has been working well for us for 2 years w/o need of adjustment. I think I can put all the wiring on the run side. I am planning to put it 8” up as you suggested, and to put a removable (1x6”?) board across the door threshold to keep litter in. All food & water is planned to be in the run.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Looking good! I think the screen door is a great idea. That way when you close the shutters on the windows you'll still have plenty of ventilation that is mostly protected. I love my dutch door with a screen on top that I can open up in the warmer months.

 

[MagistraTn]

Hi stinky, thanks. I’m planning to put a Dutch door on the garden side of the run. Did you build your own? I was trying to find some plans for my builder

I could even leave this whole wall open (hwc) and just tack up cardboard or feed bags during winter. Maybe I should leave the upper triangle open regardless?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Hi stinky, thanks. I’m planning to put a Dutch door on the garden side of the run. Did you build your own? I was trying to find some plans for my builder

Actually, we just had the original door cut in half and added extra hinges and braces. Then I built an inner screen door for the top part.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I could even leave this whole wall open (hwc) and just tack up cardboard or feed bags during winter. Maybe I should leave the upper triangle open regardless?

Opening the whole wall seems like too much to me, but someone with Tennessee weather experience would know better.

 

[Appalachickens]

Hi stinky, thanks. I’m planning to put a Dutch door on the garden side of the run. Did you build your own? I was trying to find some plans for my builder

I could even leave this whole wall open (hwc) and just tack up cardboard or feed bags during winter. Maybe I should leave the upper triangle open regardless?

View attachment 4042867

The folks on the neighboring properties have open air coops and so does another good friend in the area, so it certainly seems reasonable to have a partly open front if you want. If the run is enclosed and HC protected, would a pop door be needed? My coop will be open into the run and I figure they’ll get out into it in the morning and put themselves to be at night.