SU or Plans for Dovecote Wanted-Prototype Now Finished

[syntec4]

Hello all,
I want to build a Dovecote. Does anyone know of any plans available or some Sketchup drawings to work from? I'm not good enough on Sketchup yet to do my own

I think I would like the base to be Octagonal but other than that I'm not fussy :wink:

Also what timber should I use, bearing in mind it will be painted white and it will be going outside? I thought maybe wooden shingles for the roof, but don't know about the main construction.

Thanks.
Lee.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Le, if you can send me some pictures and dimensions, I'll do something up for you in SketchUp. Or at least I can get you started.

How big a dove will this be for? I'm imagining they get to be 3 or 4 stone, don't they?

 

[Steve Maskery]

Lee, there was a dovecote on the front of one of the mags a year or two ago. If I can find out which one, I'll let you know.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Noel]

Yes, I remember it was on the front cover - Practical WW or The WW, can't remember.
Dave, you guys have big doves over there....
Check the NYW site, Norm built one a few years back.

Happy Paddys day,

Noel

 

[syntec4]

Le, if you can send me some pictures and dimensions, I'll do something up for you in SketchUp. Or at least I can get you started.

How big a dove will this be for? I'm imagining they get to be 3 or 4 stone, don't they?

Dave thats a generous offer thanks. I'll put my effort onto my website later and post the link. As long as you promise not to show anyone else

Thank you
Lee.

 

[syntec4]

Lee, there was a dovecote on the front of one of the mags a year or two ago. If I can find out which one, I'll let you know.

Cheers
Steve

Thanks Steve, that would be very useful.

Regards
Lee.

 

[Les1693]

Lee, the dovecote plans were in The Woodworker May 2004 issue. If you want a copy of the plans send me a PM.

Also a couple sites you might find interesting are http://www.dove-cotes.co.uk and http://www.birdcraft.co.uk

Les

 

[syntec4]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

My first effort at sketchup is here http://homepage.ntlworld.com/lee_harrison944/Files/

The files is Dovecote2.

Les- PM Sent, thanks for you're help.

The main dimensions should be around 1000mm Diameter and about 1200mm tall. It sounds very large but after doing some research this is how big they need to be. This would then have 3 internal floors divided into 2 Nests. In other words room for 6 couples or 12 birds.

The post would be around 2400 tall with the box on top.

Cedar seems to be mentioned for construction timber, is this available in this country?

Thanks Again.
Lee.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, I've downloaded the file. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to do to it? Would you like me to flesh it out and show the structure?

How are the apartments to be laid out? Shared bath?

 

[syntec4]

Lee, I've downloaded the file. Is there anything in particular you'd like me to do to it? Would you like me to flesh it out and show the structure?

How are the apartments to be laid out? Shared bath?

Shared bath Ha Ha

Dave-do anything you like. Design is not my strongpoint. I would like the scale fixing so that the drawing can be dimensioned and used as a construction drawing, based on 'rough' dimensions posted before. I would also like the Little landing pads and openings showing on there, I cant figure out how to do that yet. I do know how to add materials, but they never seem to look 'right' when I've done them. Perhaps you could show me what is possible. Idealy I would like to be able to email my Mum and Dad a Jpeg and say ths is what I'm going to build for you, as it is for them. If I can achieve that with you're help, i would be very happy.

Many thanks for you're advice and help.
Lee.

 

[les chicken]

Lee
This is a picture of one I built about two years ago.

Rather than harp on if there are any questions I will try to answer them. I am sorry but I do not have any plans.

Les

 

[syntec4]

:shock: :? Cor Les, Thats Brilliant.

What is it made of? And what was the Paint? I like the Flashing on the top too.

Nice one!
Lee.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

I'll give it a try. Les' picture should help.

Do you want it 1200mm to the peak of the roof or to the eave? What about garages?

 

[Neomorph]

Lee
This is a picture of one I built about two years ago.

Rather than harp on if there are any questions I will try to answer them. I am sorry but I do not have any plans.

Les

No plans??? Looks like you plan to send it into orbit :lol: It looks more like a Dove Rocket heh. It's soddin' HUGE! :shock:

That's some damn fine work though mate... damn fine! =D>

If that was in my garden I wouldn't have any room for anything else. Somehow looking at other pics of dovecotes doesn't actually give you an idea of the scale of the things. I thought £750 was silly for one of those in the link that the other Les posted. After all it's only a big bird box or so I thought.

Oh yeah and when Lee mentioned he liked the flashing on the top for a moment I thought he meant you had put aircraft anti-collision lights on the peak as well! #-o

Just one word of warning.... Don't use any plans that have been drawn up by Bergholt Stuttley Johnson... or if you do and want a dovecote get the plans for one of his beehives. :wink:

 

[les chicken]

Lee

The floors and dividers are made of 1/2" external ply. The first two floors have a 4" square hole in the middle to slide over the post. The height between floors 12".

The sides are 1/2" tongue and groove.

The roof is shiplap.

The perches are biscuit jointed to the t&g with a fancy cleat to support.

The inside was given a liberal coating of clear wood preserver.

The paint finish is International 10 year gloss, it is microporous so will not peel. Saves chucking the doves out to repaint every year.

The lead flashing waterproofs the apex but also hides any miss alignment of the roof bits.

Les

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, I have a pretty good start on your dovecote. Here's a quick screen grab of it. The floors are spaced 12" on center. It is 1000mm across as per your dimensions and the bottom is 2400mm above the ground.

Any idea as to the size of the openings for the birds?

I originally had the post continuing up to the top but got to thinking the birds might like a little ventilation so I put in a ventilation pipe up the center instead. If ventilation isn't needed it can be easily changed back. Or maybe the ventilation should be done differently?

I don't know anything about doves but it seems like the apartments will be plenty big. Are they too big?

 

[syntec4]

:shock: :shock: Wow Dave Thats Cool. Thank You.
The holes Les made were 4" and his looked superb. So I think 100mm would be ok if we are talking metric.

According to the research that I've done, these things are much bigger than you would imagine. I think the floor spacing is perfect and I like the vent tube idea too. Thanks again.
Lee.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Good, I'm glad my 20 minutes weren't wasted.

OK, I'll draw in some fancy holes and perches. I haven't done the roof structure yet but that won't take but a few minnutes.

What do you think about having a couple of side panels that slip out to allow for cleaning?

 

[syntec4]

Good, I'm glad my 20 minutes weren't wasted.

OK, I'll draw in some fancy holes and perches. I haven't done the roof structure yet but that won't take but a few minnutes.

What do you think about having a couple of side panels that slip out to allow for cleaning?

20 Minutes! You're kiddin me. It must have taken hours!

The idea for the removable panels is very good. I'm sure that regular cleaning will be required.
Thanks again.
Lee.

 

[Chris Knight]

20 Minutes! You're kiddin me. It must have taken hours!

I am sure Dave is kidding - knowing his skills, probably took two minutes! :wink: