Chickens, and things related

[Tororider]

I am sure Eddie can help out with the building info you need.

I have been helped out a bunch by all of the collective knowledge on this site. Glad I could help you out.

 

[Tororider]

I got the door "sided" and hung. This thing is definitely going to be rustic looking, but again free wood is good. It is pretty funny, the most shy chicken is the only one who I have seen jump up onto the floor framing. I think she gets her advantage over the other two that way so that she can escape the other two more dominant ones.

I will try to post some pictures of the door later if time and weather permit.

 

[bmac]

PineRidge,

A friend of mine built an 8x10 coop with a gambrel roof and he used 2x4s. No snow load in Georgia to worry about. I can get the spacing he used if you want. For me, I'd err on the side of strength and place them 16" OC.

For my 10x12 gabel roof, I used 2x6 16" OC. Again, no snow load to consider.

Good Luck!

 

[PineRidge]

Bmac I have considered the 2 X 6s over the 2 X 4s. There is only $1.39 difference for a 10' length in our area and if the rafters were on 16" centers that would only figure out to be roughly $27.80 difference. I'm also thinking that the overhang once boxed in might be more appealing using the 2 X 6s.

Appealing? listen to me bmac, I need to keep reminding myself that this is going to be a chicken coop NOT a live-in home.

 

[bmac]

Appealing? listen to me bmac, I need to keep reminding myself that this is going to be a chicken coop NOT a live-in home.

Coop or Home - you still have to look at it everyday. May as well try to make it look good.

Re: 2x4 vs 2x6, I was merely chiming in on what a friend did with a similar type roof. For me, weight and handling would be a consideration with a gambrel roof and, in my "no snow" area would likely have built a gambrel w/ 2x4s.

And, as I think about snow, I wonder if the steepness of a gambrel roof would collect enough snow to add much weight. If you've read any of my posts in this thread, you should know that I know next to nothing about building and even less about snow load ratings of roof systems. So, don't interpret my comments as advice. Rather, just someone making conversation. Have fun with your coop.

 

[PineRidge]

Bmac not to worry, at this stage in the game I'm just thinking out loud myself. Plans are always subject to change.

 

[Tororider]

PineRidge,
I agree with bmac, if you are going to do it, and have to look at it every day you might as well make it look nice. I am limited by budget as my wife has no interest in spending money on chickens. All my stuff, more or less, is free via being found, already having it, or it being donated. I would love to build a big nice coop, but it isn't in the cards right now.

I say build as nice as you can for your current means, and be happy enjoying it and its inhabitants. Good luck and post pictures.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've never built a gambrel roof on anything, so it's not an area that I can say what to use, one way or another. I've seen them done on sheds with 2x4's, but it seems that in those that I've seen, every corner possible was cut to save on materials. I always wonder what those sheds look like after a few years.

The reason for a gambrel roof is to open up the attic space so that it can be used for something. I never understood why go through the expense of that leaning wall when you could just build a straight wall for a second story, have more floor space and a conventional roof.

If you were doing it just for looks on a chicken shed, I doubt it will matter too much what you use. Just truss it up in your span to hold it all together, and it should be fine.

Eddie

 

[PineRidge]

Eddie yes the Gabriel roof is strictly aesthetics and naturally to please the wife. We wanted the shed to look like appropriately, a barn.

The sheds for sale that I have seen have all used 2 X 4s but as you said they skimp wherever they can to make a better bottom line $$$$.

At this point in time the 2 X 6s look like a much better alternative.

Here's a picture of a swell coop that we saw at BackYardChickens built by a carpenter by the name of Lance. He has was nice enough to share a bit of information with us and we would like our shed to be built along similar lines. Well maybe not as many windows but the roof line is what we're after with a bit more overhang to shed water away better..

 

[bmac]

Here's a picture of a swell coop that we saw at BackYardChickens built by a carpenter by the name of Lance. He has was nice enough to share a bit of information with us and we would like our shed to be built along similar lines. Well maybe not as many windows but the roof line is what we're after with a bit more overhang to shed water away better..

Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is a fine looking coop.