Minnesota Joe

[Minnesota Joe]

I have kept chickens on the farm for 50 years. Keeping multiple breeds and hatched chicks. I sold chicks to 4-H kids. I shipped adult chickens nation wide and shipped two pair to Alaska. Now I live in town. I miss keeping hens. I just got my chicken permit to keep 5 hens. For years I always used whatever existing coop there was. This is the first time I get to build a coop. I'm 6ft tall so it will be a standup in coop with 6 1/2 ft sidewalls. I'm researching best roof, ventilation, insulated/uninsulated, heat ......
I have preordered 5 started pullets. The pullets will arrive at 10-12 weeks old. I'll have tame hens and eggs will be a bonus. As always I have colorful flocks- Lavender Orpington, Jubilie Orpington, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Silver laced Wyandotte and a blue Ameraucana. I guess I've rambled enough

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Joe, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

No insulation, ventilation through a ridge vent, gable vents and between the rafters through the soffits. Build the roof with large overhangs and top hinged windows so you have copious amounts of ventilation in the summer too.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Hi, Joe. Welcome to BYC!

 

[N F C]

Hi Joe, congrats on starting another flock! Under the Articles tab, you can see 100's of member-built coops to get ideas of what will work best for you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

Thanks for joining us!

 

[CurlyChickenGirly]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined!

 

[CCsGarden]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Minnesota Joe]

Hello Joe, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

No insulation, ventilation through a ridge vent, gable vents and between the rafters through the soffits. Build the roof with large overhangs and top hinged windows so you have copious amounts of ventilation in the summer too.
View attachment 4089375View attachment 4089376

All good ideas. Please describe the materials you used to construct your roof-
I live in Northern MN actual winter temps -10* -25* (not wind chills) What’s the climate where you live?

 

[Jenbirdee]

 

[muddy75]

 

[DobieLover]

Please describe the materials you used to construct your roof-
I live in Northern MN actual winter temps -10* -25* (not wind chills) What’s the climate where you live?

I live in NY. We get sub-zero here too. Wind chills aren't counted because the birds should be protected from drafts when roosted. All the ventilation in my coop comes in low from 2 permanently open pop doors and goes out the ridge and gable vents with flow promoted from the open spaces between the rafters.

For the winter months my run is covered with reinforced poly sheeting that I custom fitted into tarps that I then pin down with ripped deck boards. I just took the tarps down after their 6th year in service and put them into storage.

I extended the roof overhangs on the shed by sistering the rafters with longer tails and installing fly rafters on lookouts.

The roof is just water barrier and asphalt shingles.