Coop Roof Compromise and Some Details

After the framing for the temporary shed roof started going up, I started liking it more than my original vision of a salt box gable roof. I couldn't see putting Farmer Rick through building, then ripping off, a perfectly good shed roof and then having to build all those trusses.

There comes a time for compromise...like when your bathroom is filled with nearly full grown chickens!


Right before the roof went on both of us realized we'd forgotten an important detail--the overhang on two of the sides. So Farmer Rick added the supports with some Simpson Tie joist hangers. If you haven't discovered the wonders of the Simpson Ties hardware line, you should check their products out. The system combined with wood is like tinker toys for grown ups and can be easily reused, lending to their recycle-ability. They also ensure a strong connection.

The windows and vents give the coop lots of natural light and ventilation.

The shed roof is only a little higher on one end, to shed rain away from the front.

We'll need to support this end with posts once it's got the weight of roofing.

Looks a little Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style from down in the creek. Will look awesome clad in some recycled lumber.

The coop is nicely sited to be shaded at the right times, making it fairly passive solar. The only thing that could have been better was if this live oak was a deciduous tree to let in more light in the winter. That gray stuff in the oak branches is ball moss, which is epiphytic, like an orchid, drawing its nutrients from the air, not the tree.

I won these antique barn hinges in an online auction for .99 cents. Can't beat that!

The door threshold has been installed. Unfortunately we will have to sweep and mop to get the mud from last week's downpour off the floor.

Here the plywood roofing foundation has been nailed down.

And the last window installed.

The recycled tin roofing has been nailed to the plywood. This would make a nice deck with a view of the hills. We will have to research how to do this.

Since we haven't found an antique hasp latch, we spray painted a new one. We use dog leash clasps during the day, and locks at night, figuring raccoons can't use keys. I hope we are not wrong.

There is no plumbing on this side of the creek. FR drilled a hole through the wall and put a small segment of garden hose with an on/off valve so we can fill the chicken waterer daily from inside the coop.


Next will be building the roosts and hanging the feeder, and other small details. We will hopefully move the larger chickens out tomorrow!