[Elcie]

My ex built the one at the allotment with me helping at various points.  Now the chickens are coming back to the garden I need to build another so any advice gratefully received!

My first question is how to know the angle to cut the pieces of wood that sit diagonally inside a square at the corners to provide extra support to each section of the frame.  And also the best way to do this.  If that makes sense?  I seem to remember something a maths teacher said once but can't remember what!  As it is going into the back garden I would like it to look lovely too!

[Lardman]

Both 45 degrees.  (if your vertical and horizontal are perpendicular).

Interior angles of triangles always add up to 180.  If you're using 2x2 its unlikely you really need corner braces.

[mumofstig]

surely it's just easier to screw/bolt the uprights together in the corners 

[JaK]

surely it's just easier to screw/bolt the uprights together in the corners 

That's what we did on ours. I suppose we bodged it really but it's sturdy enough.

[Lardman]

I didn't bother with them either, just butt jointed 2x2s screwed with 5x70s. (nails are the work of the devil)

I've got a 14' span, it flexes a little but support at the mid point would have stopped that.

[boosmummy]

whichever way is best im going to be watching this with great interest!!!!! it may be my new project hahahahaha

[Elcie]

Thanks everyone.  Have measured out tonight and it looks like I am going for a kind of L-shape with a patio to sit on and watch them outside so the garden can still be used (it is a very small garden!)

I wasn't sure if the butt join would be sturdy enough and thought I would also need the triangles added to the corners.  Will see how we go.

Thanks again, just looking around at timber prices now, going to go for 2x2 hopefully.