I have to build a small chicken coop by the end of this week. Dimensions will be about 16′ x 8 ‘. I am planning on a simple shed roof 8′ front wall and 7’ back wall with steel roofing. Walls will be either oak lap siding or oak vertical board and batten. My question though concerns the floor. I have consider doing this two ways. One would be to set 4×4 post below the frost line, cut them off about 6″ above the ground double up a couple of 2×6 front and back and hang the floor joists 24″ on center from the rim joist, deck with 3/4 ply and then build the walls on top. If I did this way, what would be the best fastening technique for the rim joist to the posts.
My other thought was to build it more like a post and frame building. Set some 4×4 posts in the ground for the corners, and 8′ spacing on the front and back wall, 2×4 girts all around 24″ on center and hang the floor from the posts. Usually when I have done this type of building before I have always poured a concrete floor, never a wood deck. My question is if I hang the floor from the posts should I still double the rim joist front and back and hang the floor from them. Would I construct this like a deck with carriage bolts through the posts or is this technique a back idea in general.
Note, I am not a professional, just a homeowner and am doing this project for myself. Also, because of my zoning as a farm, building permits and inspections are not required for this project. All comments are welcomed.
Replies
Make your floor as rat proof as possible. There are some resources on the net where you can download agricultural plans for free.
We've got a little flock here. They're almost like family... except they can't come in the house.
If you can, I would pour a concrete floor. You will want something that is easy to clean. An alternative would be a gravel floor. Whatever you do, make it such that creatures cannot tunnel in from underneath. In fact, your entire project should be focused on preventing ANY access by dogs, cats, raccoons, foxes, minks, skunks, possums, or anything else. Otherwise you'll have a massacre sometime down the road.
I think a pole barn frame would be easiest, in terms of getting some walls up quickly, but if you can afford the time and cost for a 4" slab, and then frame your walls around that, you'll have a very nice chicken shack.
I have always ( built a half dozen or so) just sunk the posts in the ground, and trenched the perimeter about a foot deep.
Set in galv rat wire and backfill..run the wire up a foot ( it is handy that it comes 2' wide) and side over it.
I don't use any floor, just cover with straw...they like to root around in it..make sure ya have an adequate roost and nest boxes. Else yo be looking for eggs forever.
I pitchfork out the old straw as it gets nasty ( under the roost mostly) and scrape the soil with a shovel to expose a bit more grit..add more straw and yer all set.
Great fun, having cluckers.
If ya want to go pro ( I once was) check out http://www.FarmTek.com
they got it all as far as drop through type flooring panels and fenceing supps.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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