I need to better the original idea of the coop. Or better the memory I still have of the original idea of the coop, rather. The length of the coop itself (not counting the wheels or the handles) will be six feet long with an A-frame design with the cross of the A forming the second-story floor. The structure will be made of 1 x 4s - legs, A-frame and all. The lower (ground floor) enclosure that will allow for the chickens to free-range will have chicken wire on the A-frame sides. The long sides will have chicken wire "frames" so all pieces will be able to fold open. Also, the plywood upper structure (long sides) will be hinged at the top connection strap so all four panels will be able to open as well.
The ends will not be removable in any way, but with eight fold-up portions, the entire thing will be very cleanable. The "A" ends and middle will have cross braces, as is the habit of all capital letter A's, which will give the floor strong support on the ends and in the middle. The floor, cut to fit within the frames of the A, will be pushed up into the frame and then the cross brace added and fixed to make a tight fit.
Where the cross braces are on the A's, an eight foot 1 x 4 is fixed to extend two feet off of one side as handles. The side opposite the handles get wheels so the entire thing can be moved around wheelbarrow-style by one person.
From the floor, a ramp must allow for the chickens to get up to the floor-level. The ends of the floor level (the upper part of the A on either side) will be chicken wired in and allow for the addition of glass windows for the winter so light can be allowed in but the winter cold kept out. Somewhat.
This design fits in nicely with my backyard garden. The chickens, once full grown, will be able to roam around in the grass completely safe from attacking dogs, cats or hawks. I can move the coop to fresh grass every few days. The birds will have the warm penthouse to roost in as well.
What could possibly go wrong?
1 year ago
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