Main Coop
When I decided to build a larger coop, I researched different designs. My main concern was to make something that would keep my chickens safe. I didn’t want anything decorative but I didn’t want it to look like it was thrown together with a bunch of scrap.
It has a large access door on the coop for cleaning. I used the automatic foundation vents and added a fan to one of them.
The side door is for access to the nesting boxes.
For my nesting boxes, I modified two wooden crates.
I use the top of the nesting boxes to store a spare bag of pine shavings. It also prevents the chickens from roosting on the top.
I mounted a heating pad to the back wall plugged into a thermo Cube. I probably didn’t need to, but it wasn’t being used.
The roost is removable. I would like to buid one that is hinged to the roof and has a pulley to lift it off the floor during coop cleaning.
The door is a piece of plywood, mounted to drawer slides and driven by a 12 volt linear actuator. I added a second door to the run to allow the chickens to free range the backyard.
I’m using a discarded Allen Bradley PLC from work. It controls the coop door, the run door, a light in the run with a motion sensor and my watering system.
I have a motion sensor mounted in the junction box on the top. The bottom box contains a photocell (for automatic door operation). A pushbutton to operate each door manually. a toggle switch for each door to enable or disable automatic function with waterproof covers and a switch to manually turn on the light in the run.
