- Nov 7, 2013
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"I agree with the others that you should put up a wind/rain barrier for the area around the nest boxes and roosts. I'd probably put something up across the entire backside and half-way (meaning back to front) on the two sides. Tarps, plastic tablecloths, shower curtains, or heavy (6 mil or better) plastic will work for this. Is the top covered with anything more than shade cloth? If not, I think it would be very good to cover it with wire. Also, is there anything to keep diggers out? If not, I'd suggest a wire apron extending out some distance (18" to 2') 90 degrees from the bottom of the fence wall. It could be buried or simply pinned down on top of the ground. Something like 2" X4" welded wire would be fine to keep dogs and coyotes from getting under. Maybe you have all of these issues already addressed, but it's hard to know from the pics. Finally, before next summer it would be very good to have shade cloth covering the entire south and west sides of your enclosures. With the amount of shade that will make, it will greatly increase the amount of usable area for the chickens. As it is, it looks as if there would be too much sun exposure for the chickens to survive a hot summer day here in AZ. It looks like a great start for chicken enclosures though. "
Thanks for the ideas. We are planning to change it up some. I wasn't comfortable with the roosting poles there and just got some longer ones I'm going to try to hang across the length. We were going to add some poles or wire to the top along with the shade too. We do have the wire at the bottom fanned out on the ground about a foot out right now. My hubby was thinking of adding electric fence wire to the bottom on the outside too, but I want to make sure the chickens won't run into it. We had them in the smaller coop in the summer with lots of shade and a mister set-up on the top. Will probably add that to this coop for next summer too.
Thanks for the ideas. We are planning to change it up some. I wasn't comfortable with the roosting poles there and just got some longer ones I'm going to try to hang across the length. We were going to add some poles or wire to the top along with the shade too. We do have the wire at the bottom fanned out on the ground about a foot out right now. My hubby was thinking of adding electric fence wire to the bottom on the outside too, but I want to make sure the chickens won't run into it. We had them in the smaller coop in the summer with lots of shade and a mister set-up on the top. Will probably add that to this coop for next summer too.
Definitely not lap chicks. 
May eggs drop gently all winter long. I've have been getting min of 3 eggs and a max of 5 eggs from 5 layers. It has been a dry year. I have some more picks of my girls, and you can have Basil Demosthine, I know you will keep me posted. He has a lot of personality, I am also realistic. 
