New Young Bird Loft

37664 Views 86 Replies 17 Participants Last post by West, Dec 5, 2010

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · Mar 22, 2009

I am throwing around an idea for a new young birds loft. I have been looking at small loft design. I have come up with a few criteria. 6x12 feet with the ability to separate into two sections. May even make it where I can convert it into a widowhood loft with a hens and cocks side. The following are a few more criteria that I want:

Made of panels so it can be broken down and moved. My thoughts are that I want it mobile and easily mobile. Where I can put it into a U-haul, Be broken down and set up in a day. Want it to be a two man job.

Open and airy. I like open lofts.

Toying with the idea of half solid floor and half slats or grating.

One trap that can enter both sides of the loft. I have thought up a triangular shape with one entrance that spits into two small drop traps at 45 degrees into the loft. Thinking of how this will work with an electronic clock.

I am working on a design that can be bolted together or screwed with large screws.

I want an aviary that runs the length of the loft. About 2-3 foot deep. Removable. Thinking of a 2x12x5 design.

I am very open to ideas and was wondering if anyone in here has a loft made out of panels. I know they do this in Europe.

Randy

1 - 20 of 87 Posts

risingstarfans

· #2 · Mar 22, 2009

Why not just get a flat bed trailer and build on that?

Check on ebay. I bought an old travel trailer, and its working out fine for me as a loft, but I don't fly.

ND Cooper

· #3 · Apr 7, 2009 (Edited)

When you take it down, how do, -would you transport the pigeons?
I think that I know what you are after, But could you tell us what the main goal is? As far as being a mobile loft is concerned.
Don't build a house of cards!

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 9, 2009

My thoughts are 2x4 construction with siding, OSB, shingles and the works. It will be sturdy. Each section will need two people to lift. The birds will be put in crates if I ever move it. I do not see if down for more than a few days. I think I have my design in my head. When I find a way to post it, I will put it up. I am looking at about $400 in materials. We will see if I can build it for that.

Randy

Lovebirds

· #5 · Apr 9, 2009

My husband built a loft for a guy back in 2005 and in 2006 we had to go take it down and move it. He built the 4 walls and they were bolted together and very easy to take down and put back up. The hardest part was the roof. That was put on after the 4 walls were up and it was shingled and we literally couldn't budge it, but the guys wound up cutting it in half and putting it back together once the loft was up again.
This is it

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G

· #6 · Apr 9, 2009

that loft looks great , those roofs are always the hardest part of moving them around but a sheet metal roof would make it a little bit lighter but I think shingles are prolly cheaper

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 9, 2009

That is just about what I am looking for. Would like to see the plans for it. Looks like about the right size. I was toying with 6 x 12 ish. Thanks for the comment about the roof and the weight issue. I will most likely shingle the roof after I get it up. May be able to find some pro panel roofing.

Randy

Bobcat

· #8 · Apr 9, 2009

LokotaLoft said:
that loft looks great , those roofs are always the hardest part of moving them around but a sheet metal roof would make it a little bit lighter but I think shingles are prolly cheaper

Metal roof would be best, maybe cheaper and easy to dismantle for moving, you don't need to sheet the roof or re-shingle after moving assuming you would have to section a roof to move it for a 6x12 ft loft.

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 20, 2009 (Edited)

Well construction has begun. I have included a few pictures of my floor. I had a 13 1/2' x 3 1/2' two shelved workbench in my garaged I need out. It is a massive useless monster. I have decided to make it into a two part floor. I have included some pictures of the work bench before demolition. I have taken it down. I am going to cut the ends to make it 12 feet. I will leave it into two sections and then bolt it together at set-up.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 20, 2009

The loft will be 12 x 7 with a few options. At first I think It will be one big section for the young birds. I will have a center door which I will purchase at a second hand store Saturday. I will make doweled interior walls with sliding doors that can separate the loft into two 4 1/2 x 7 foot sections. or one 4 1/2 foot section and one 7 1/2 x 7. I will have two aviaries, two landing boards and two Belgium traps. I was thinking about one trap to both sections, but decided on having the option of a 32" x 7 foot walkway for storage. The floor will be solid using the workbench. The wood has a few stains, but after a bit of scrubbing, paint and bird poop it will be just fine.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 20, 2009

My goal is to build the loft for around $400. Using the floor will save me around $100. I also have some left over shingles, hardware cloth, screws, roofing felt, two 4 x 8 sheets of OSB etc. I originally wanted the loft to be able to be moved by two people, but I am thinking more like 3 or 4. I will felt and shingle the roof after the loft is set up to handle weight issues. The panels will be as of now will be solid pieces. I am debating on whether to just use the siding as the entire exterior wall with 2 x 4 construction to save weight. If you have any suggestions let me know. Otherwise I will use OSB, roof felt and then siding. This will add poundage.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 21, 2009

Purchased the door today. Went to look for a second hand external door, but could not find anything. I settled for an interior door from Home Depot $44. I do not need and insulated door and will paint it . The door is better than what I have in my house. I have the hardware with a lock, so all is good.

Randy

G

· #13 · Jun 21, 2009

hey Randy Im with you on the using anything I can find around the house to improve the coop lol Im planing on expanding mine own and love any Ideas I see here to do soo so hope you kjeep posting as you build your loft there :0 keep up the great work

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 21, 2009

Went and looked at Tuff-Sheds today at Home Depot for ideas. The construction is pretty shotty. I did decide to add the weight of OSB or thin plywood interior to the siding. The added strength and insulation from the elements will help. My sons are growing up so if I ever need to move it in a few years I will have help. Right now I have two nephews in town. I am making it out of four panels and a roof. It will all be bolted together. Should be pretty cool. I will keep everyone posted except the wife on the cost. I have a $200 dollar gift card at Sears. I was thinking about a paint sprayer or nail gun. Would make the job easier. Right now I am looking at about $100 a panel.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 21, 2009

What inspired me to build a transportable loft was ACE. He build a beautiful breeding loft that he cannot take with him on his move. I also wanted a loft that I could take down and move in a day. Just in case the wife up and makes me move somewhere. Down in a day- up in a day. Many guys give up the birds when it is time to move or relocate. It should also be sturdy enough when erected to put on a flatbed trailer. Also if you find that you do not like the front of the loft, just re-due the front panel and replace it.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 21, 2009

I will only be able to get one or the other. Nothing fancy on the paint sprayer. A framing gun is around $250. A workable paint sprayer will run $200. Lumber has gone down. Siding $20 a sheet. osb $6, 2x4s $2 each. My thoughts are about $500 will do it. I do have some things laying around.

Another good place to look is at building sites. They have osb, 2x6s etc laying around in throw away piles that they are more than happy for you to haul off.

Randy

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 22, 2009

The Sears run produced a paint gun and a miter saw. I will do a Lowes run for 2x4s Monday and start construction. Looks like the old hammer will get some use after all unless I can rent a nail gun cheap enough.

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 23, 2009

As of now I have spent $120 on the loft directly. I decided to use the plywood/siding like is used on the loft on skylakesions page. This eliminates the OSB. I have cut the 2x4s for the back and front panels. I am going to make the front 7 1/2" tall instead of 7". So I need to re-cut some of the boards.

The siding will be the main expense at $30 a sheet. I will need 7. I still need about $40 for more 2xs and will need some shingles and one more OSB. May also need another roll of hardware cloth and roofing felt. I will keep you posted on the expense. Right now it is looking like about $450.

I will post some pics in the next few days.

Jay3

· #19 · Jun 23, 2009

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to the pictures.

hillfamilyloft

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 24, 2009

I will be framing Wednesday. I decided just to do it like I learned when I was 12. My goal is to have it framed and all the bolts drilled and do a dry run putting the loft together. I have decided to do the roof in two panels connected with a 8 to 12 inch middle section. Simple and light. My thoughts are that if I ever move the loft, it will get re-shingled at that time. I will post some pics tomorrow with the dry framing. I have decided to use siding that is primed on one side and osb on the other. Cheaper and easier to exterior paint. Two thick coats covers OSB pretty well. I may prime it first. I have decided to erect the loft and then paint also. I will most likely paint the floor before I put it up. Spray it with the gun and then hand paint the trim.

Randy

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