Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Building the Floor
Select a flat area for your chicken house. Your chicken house will include a floor so you will need to make sure it will sit level and not shift.
Lay out a square using 4 - 4X4 beams. Two of the beams should measure 4' and the other two beams 3'4". Layout will form a 4' square. The dimensions of the floor are dependent on the number of chickens you need to house. A basic design, as described here, will house approximately four chickens.
Attach the support structure with nails to form a skid structure to elevate the floor. This will keep the floor out of water and reduce the chance of rot occurring.
Arrange a floor outline on the skid structure by placing two 3'8" 2X4 boards on opposite sides of the skid structure. Place two more 2X4 boards evenly spaced between the first two. Place a 4' 2X4 along the top and bottom of the four boards to tie them all together in a square frame. Nail each joint together.
Place your 4' square piece of 3/4" plywood on top of the floor supports. Attach the floor to the supports with nails placed no more than 6" apart. Attach the plywood along all joists.
Building the Walls
Nail a 5' 4X4 beam to each corner. These define the height of the inside of the chicken coop.
Attach two 5' 2x4 boards along each side of the coop with nails. The boards should be evenly spaced between the beams.
Attach 2X4 boards along the top of the walls connecting all the joists. Use two 4' 2X4 boards and two 3'8" 2x4 boards.
Building the Roof
Nail a center support 2X4 to the middle of the top joists on two opposite sides of the structure. The supports need to measure 1'.
Attach a 4' 2X4 across the top and nail it to each of the 1' center supports. This will form the attachment point for the two halves of the roof.
Place one of the pieces of 3/4" plywood that measures 4' by 2'6" on the right half of the buildings roof. Nail it in place so that there is a 6" overhang.
Repeat the process on the left hand side of the house. These panels are the roof of the house. There remains a thin strip of uncovered roof at the junction of the two pieces of plywood.
Place 6" wide tin flashing over the center of the gap for the complete length of the roof. Nail the flashing in place along both sides to protect the inside of the coop from rail.
Enclosing the Sides
Cover each side with 3/4" plywood. The shape of the plywood will be different for each side. The front of the house will have the door and hatchway for the chickens to enter. The two sides will have a window opening. The back will have the nesting boxes and access cover.
Cut 18"X12" access hole for the chickens in one corner of the 5'X4" piece of plywood for the front of the house with the circular saw. This will allow the chickens to enter and exit the house. Trim the plywood to allow for a door along the opposite side of the front of the house. The opening should be from the corner of the house to the edge of the first support. Trim off the entire edge leaving a 5'X12" opening opposite the chicken access door. Nail the front panel in place. Eave the space under the roof uncovered to provide ventilation.
Cut the two side panels into four equally sized panels measuring 2'6"X4'. Nail the bottom panels in place along the bottom of the house. Attach the upper panels to the sides of the house under the overhang of the roof. Attach the upper section using three evenly spaced hinges under the overhang. The upper section will open allowing air and sunlight into the house when propped up.
Cut the side panel into two pieces, one 4'X4' and the other 1'X4'. Nail the larger one along the top of the wall and secure it with nails to the frame of the house. The open 1' slot at the bottom of the wall will house the nests.
Building and Installing the Nesting Boxes
Cut a 4' 1X12 into four equal pieces of 12"X12". These form the dividers between the three nests.
Attach the two 3'4" 1X12 boards together along the longest sides forming the back and bottom of the nesting box.
Affix the four 12"X12" dividers at each end and then equally spaced along the inside. This forms three nesting boxes of equal size.
Install the nesting box along the bottom of the wall on the floor with the back of the nests pointed toward the inside of the house and the open face pointed toward the outside of the house. You will need to notch the bottom 1X12 in two places to slip around the 2X4 wall studs.
Attach the bottom 1' panel with hinges along the bottom of the panel and attached to the floor. This opens to collect the eggs from the three boxes. Hold the panel closed by attaching a latch.