planningRear deck, Hampton, CTStarted 2026-03-14

Under-Deck Bird Housing 2026

Enclosing the under-deck space (14ft × 12ft × 7ft clearance) with hardware cloth and framing to create predator-proof bird housing for the flock

🧊 Interactive 3D Models

🧊 View Enclosure Volume (3D)🏠 View House + Deck CAD Drawing (3D)

Interactive models — open in a new tab, rotate and zoom freely.

Under-Deck Bird Housing 2026

Enclosing the space beneath the rear deck to create a permanent, predator-proof enclosure for the flock. The deck provides a natural roof — we just need walls, a gate, and proper hardware cloth on all sides.

Key Dimensions (Confirmed)

Front face width (south): 8 ft
Left depth (west/staircase side): 9 ft
Right depth (east side): 12 ft
Height at house wall (north): 7 ft
Ground type: Dirt/gravel
Shape: Trapezoidal (not rectangular)
Clearance: Deck provides natural roof overhead
Existing on-site: 4× chain-link kennel panels (48"W × 53"H each)

Goals

Full predator protection — hardware cloth buried or skirted
Easy daily access via proper gate
Weatherproof but ventilated
Room for the full flock plus growth

Site Photos

Rear of house showing deck — Rear of house showing under-deck space and elevated deck (March 2026)

RAM 1500 scale reference — RAM 1500 used as scale reference for deck measurements

Property in winter — pasture behind house

3D Models

🧊 View Enclosure Volume (3D)

Interactive enclosure volume model

🏠 View House + Deck CAD Drawing (3D)

Full architectural model with house, deck, and enclosure

Bill of Materials — $704.50

Item	Qty	Unit Cost	Total	Notes
4x4x10 Pressure Treated Post	7 each	$14.50	$101.50	Corner posts (4) + intermediate front posts (3)
2x4x10 Pressure Treated Lumber	20 each	$7.25	$145.00	Top and bottom rails, frame work
2x6x10 Pressure Treated Lumber	4 each	$12.50	$50.00	Kickboard base, predator skirt
Hardware Cloth 1/2" 4ft x 50ft Roll	3 roll	$72.00	$216.00	West end wall (9ft × 7ft), East end wall (12ft × 7ft), Top gap fill (8ft × 31")
Post Anchor/Standoff Bracket	7 each	$8.50	$59.50	Keep posts off ground, prevent rot
Fencing Staples 1lb Box	5 box	$6.00	$30.00	Attaching hardware cloth to frame (3 walls + top)
Structural Screws 3" 5lb Box	2 box	$18.00	$36.00	Framing connections
J-Bolt Post Anchor 1/2"	7 each	$4.50	$31.50	Anchor posts to concrete if poured
90-degree Corner Brackets	14 each	$2.50	$35.00	Rail-to-post connections

Diary

2026-03-14

surveyplanningspring-thaw

Spring Thaw — Initial Survey

First warm day after the thaw. Snow is gone, yard is bare and muddy. We did a full walkthrough to assess the bird situation for 2026.

The Existing Coop

The old prefab coop is done. Tarp is falling off, wood is rotted out, barely standing. It's maybe enough for 3-4 birds and we've got a full flock coming.

The New Plan: Under-Deck Enclosure

We surveyed the space under the rear deck as the new bird housing. The deck sits on a raised foundation — great clearance underneath (6.5–7.5 feet), three open sides, and a 14×12 foot footprint. That's roughly 168 square feet of covered, sheltered space — more than enough for the whole flock plus growth.

The house wall forms the north side. We'll enclose the south face, west end, and the east end (leaving a 4-foot corridor around the staircase). Hardware cloth walls, 2×4 framing, a proper gate.

Tractor Supply Run

Picked up new chicks today:

Rhode Island Reds (pullets)
Easter Eggers (premium pullets)
Speckled Sussex (pullets)
Light Brahmas (straight run)
Sapphire Gems (straight run)
Assorted ducklings
Broad Breasted White turkey poults

Spring is starting. This is the year we do this right.