Mags’ New Forever Coop Build

[MagistraTn]

Check out a Woods Coop design, perfect for Vermont climate! Proven and then a lot of decisions and design queries go away.

The design is scalable from 6x10 to 8x12 to 10x16. The 8x12 will accommodate 24 birds with appropriate run space.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...y-16-coop-build.1304202/page-37#post-28365053

Good luck.

Is this where you found plans?

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924003138272&view=1up&seq=13&skin=2021

 

[Ted Brown]

Is this where you found plans?

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924003138272&view=1up&seq=13&skin=2021

https://gnipsel.com/files/chickens/mfaph.pdf (kudos to @jthornton for providing this!!)

 

[StinkyAcres]

Thanks, Ted, I’m looking into that

I am thinking of raising the floor on the coop portion so the chooks can hang out under there they spend several hours a day under a trailer in their run, so they like the cool, dry and safe from hawks spots.

If I go with this idea, I would have Carolina coop style double doors that open up on the pasture side for cleaning.

Anyone have any thoughts on the maximum depth to be able to reach in with a broom or rake to clean it out? Probably only once or twice a year, but 8’ seems borderline too deep. I’m not a spring chicken (, more like a worn out old hen!), and my youngest will be off to college in 3.5 years. I have no intention of climbing up in there.

Attached elevation plans of run side, with pop door & ladder and pasture side with 2 3’ French style door openings

I definitely do not recommend this. There are major advantages to having a walk-in coop. Besides making cleaning so much easier 1) you can easily examine, catch, and medicate birds inside (best done at night when they are roosting), 2) there are no impossible-to-reach places underneath where sick birds can hide, etc., and 3) the ventilation can be far above the birds' heads when they are roosting which prevents cold drafts from hitting them.

 

[Ted Brown]

...
Anyone have any thoughts on the maximum depth to be able to reach in with a broom or rake to clean it out? Probably only once or twice a year, but 8’ seems borderline too deep. I’m not a spring chicken (, more like a worn out old hen!), and my youngest will be off to college in 3.5 years. I have no intention of climbing up in there.
...

I went whole hog. My coop is 3 feet or more off the ground, i can get underneath crouching and using hands up on floor to balance. Easy no, but I go in very seldom.

I also am not a spring chicken. Raising the coop this much provides additional run space for "free", deters critters from entry or taking up residence under the coop. I have never had even a mouse in the coop.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Check out a Woods Coop design, perfect for Vermont climate! Proven and then a lot of decisions and design queries go away.

The design is scalable from 6x10 to 8x12 to 10x16. The 8x12 will accommodate 24 birds with appropriate run space.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...y-16-coop-build.1304202/page-37#post-28365053

Good luck.

OP is in Tennessee. But that is a great design to include more ventilation.

 

[Ted Brown]

OP is in Tennessee. But that is a great design to include more ventilation.

Whoops, think I was looking at your post. Thanks

 

[Ted Brown]

I definitely do not recommend this. There are major advantages to having a walk-in coop. Besides making cleaning so much easier 1) you can easily examine, catch, and medicate birds inside (best done at night when they are roosting), 2) there are no impossible-to-reach places underneath where sick birds can hide, etc., and 3) the ventilation can be far above the birds' heads when they are roosting which prevents cold drafts from hitting them.

ditto dat!!!!!