joan1708
Songster
Same here. I made my coop out of recycled fence. So to predator proof it, I completely lined it in hardware cloth, on the floor, walls and ceiling. I don't want rats chewing through it. Conventional wisdom says, the coop has to be tight enough, that nothing larger than a hotdog can squeeze through. That means1/2 inch hardware cloth that is secured with screws (not staples), tight doors, and complex latches. There also has to be ventilation, enough room, shade, storage, poop management (wire floors don't work) and it has to look good (neighbors). There is a lot to it and it takes time and thought.
Some people have a knack for this and they build beautiful safe and comfortable coops in a couple weekends for next to nothing (It blows my mind!). It takes months for most of us amateurs. It took me 5 months of steady work on days off and a weeks vacation to build mine. I think I was slower than most. I had many do-overs and re-thinks, but it got done. I think mine cost $500+, and I did not buy wood or paint. I did buy hardware cloth, latches, hinges, screws, washers, fence poles, cattle fence panels, fence fittings, hog rings, cinder blocks, stakes, metal roof, sun-tuff roof, feeders, waterers, etc. It all costs. And it's just for 3 chickens. It's insane.
Now I'm fooling with heat and a broody hen. I had my broody in a rabbit hutch in the run with her food in a cage cup. This morning there were ants in her food. So I suspended the whole cage up off the floor ~ 18 inches. I had to tie it in so it won't rock back and forth. I have to make sure it is shaded and position it so she can sit in the fan wind or get out of the wind if she wants. Yesterday I had the mister going and went out to check, it got turned around and she could not get out of it and was soaked. Scared me to death. I made her free range (she wants to sit on her nest) for a while to dry off and she seems fine today.
Moral of the story. Chickens are expensive, they are work and a lot of responsibility and worry. I feel like anything bad that happens to them is my fault. Whether it's the weather, dogs (doesn't matter who they belong to), coons, cats, rats, mice, mites or ants.
I like being outside and I like taking care of them, but I'm always a little worried about them. They are so vulnerable to everything.
Sorry I got a little carried away here.
Some people have a knack for this and they build beautiful safe and comfortable coops in a couple weekends for next to nothing (It blows my mind!). It takes months for most of us amateurs. It took me 5 months of steady work on days off and a weeks vacation to build mine. I think I was slower than most. I had many do-overs and re-thinks, but it got done. I think mine cost $500+, and I did not buy wood or paint. I did buy hardware cloth, latches, hinges, screws, washers, fence poles, cattle fence panels, fence fittings, hog rings, cinder blocks, stakes, metal roof, sun-tuff roof, feeders, waterers, etc. It all costs. And it's just for 3 chickens. It's insane.
Now I'm fooling with heat and a broody hen. I had my broody in a rabbit hutch in the run with her food in a cage cup. This morning there were ants in her food. So I suspended the whole cage up off the floor ~ 18 inches. I had to tie it in so it won't rock back and forth. I have to make sure it is shaded and position it so she can sit in the fan wind or get out of the wind if she wants. Yesterday I had the mister going and went out to check, it got turned around and she could not get out of it and was soaked. Scared me to death. I made her free range (she wants to sit on her nest) for a while to dry off and she seems fine today.
Moral of the story. Chickens are expensive, they are work and a lot of responsibility and worry. I feel like anything bad that happens to them is my fault. Whether it's the weather, dogs (doesn't matter who they belong to), coons, cats, rats, mice, mites or ants.
I like being outside and I like taking care of them, but I'm always a little worried about them. They are so vulnerable to everything.
Sorry I got a little carried away here.
Last edited:
Dearly Beloved is helping me assemble the coop and run combo, which I paid too much for, but I am intent on having Speckled Sussex and they are available locally. I called one day and there were 30 available, and the next day there were 10 - someone purchased 20 at once. Given how late in the year it is already, I decided to pay up front for the five I want having seen them and affirmed their health and vigor, but now I have to get them home in the next two weeks.
