Fortunately here in middle Tn our winters are short and mild. We get stretches of low teens and a few snow falls. Last winter was the coldest I recall in the last 10 years or so. We made this coop and run from a 8' x 13' dog run and have enclosed it with 11 oz. brown tarp and I made some translucent panels to let the sun in through the front. The front awning rolls up but I can drop it or pole it out for some shade if they need it. I'll roll it down to close the gap in the front as it gets cooler out.
I still need to get the opener for the coop door and get it wired. Its funny they lay there eggs in the whiskey barrel every 3rd egg other wise its in the nesting box. Go figure. My Momma Cat likes to go in and sleep in the barrel on warm days and no one seems to mind. She really gets along well with the chickens.
The tarp material is very heavy. I used a grommet set to add grommets as needed so I think they should be snug as a bug in a rug. I think the cost total for the tarps came to about $60.00 and I made the front ones from some plastic a friend gave and used my wifes sewing machine to sew on a boarder to hold the grommets. The run we found on Craigs list for $100. but saw others for a little as $20.00 (dollar short and an hour late!) I cut some bamboo to wire through grommet holes to pull the tarp tight to the chain link and it holds very nicely. I put a strip inside and out opposite each other and used tying wire and twisted the to strip tight. Ive been inside when the wind was blowing pretty hard and it was very comfortable.
The entire plan was to make it so we can carry it to another part of the yard if needed. It would mean another footer elsewhere but it could go over by the garden if we decided to move it. Ill decide this winter how it does in a heavily shaded area as it is in now. A great location in the summer but winter wont get the sun, maybe more than i realize after the leaves fall.
The run is attached to 2 x 6's set in the ground and the inside is creek gravel. I dont think anything can get in bigger than a chipmonk. the bottom 24" is lined with chicken netting. I'll run some power out their tomorrow and get a light hung. I need to decide how I will add some heat to the coop if they need it. Im thinking they probably wont from what others have told me. I have to decide. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
A warning about the coop in the picture. I bought it from some place on Ebay. I debated building one and decided to take the quickest way out. ALMOST a mistake. You will see these advertised a lot. BEWARE......The concept is great. The components are terribly made. I do a lot of wood working so rather than returning it I got out my clamps, Elmers wood glue and brad gun and spent a day re-fabing it and used the materials they provided. Otherwise it arrives as a real piece of crap. Hardware is the cheapest junk available so if you get tempted to buy one of these and your not handly with woodworking AVOID the temptation. Rebuilt it came out fine and I finished it off with a good coating of Thompsons Water Sealer inside and out and let it dry for a week before letting the birds in. Im pleased with it. A little clumsey cleaning as I attached the pull out drawer so it doesnt. There is access on both sides and the front so it only takes a moment to clean. I do so daily. Most people receive them damaged and send them back. Like I said if your handly you can use the concept and materials and put it together so it will last.
I still need to get the opener for the coop door and get it wired. Its funny they lay there eggs in the whiskey barrel every 3rd egg other wise its in the nesting box. Go figure. My Momma Cat likes to go in and sleep in the barrel on warm days and no one seems to mind. She really gets along well with the chickens.
The tarp material is very heavy. I used a grommet set to add grommets as needed so I think they should be snug as a bug in a rug. I think the cost total for the tarps came to about $60.00 and I made the front ones from some plastic a friend gave and used my wifes sewing machine to sew on a boarder to hold the grommets. The run we found on Craigs list for $100. but saw others for a little as $20.00 (dollar short and an hour late!) I cut some bamboo to wire through grommet holes to pull the tarp tight to the chain link and it holds very nicely. I put a strip inside and out opposite each other and used tying wire and twisted the to strip tight. Ive been inside when the wind was blowing pretty hard and it was very comfortable.
The entire plan was to make it so we can carry it to another part of the yard if needed. It would mean another footer elsewhere but it could go over by the garden if we decided to move it. Ill decide this winter how it does in a heavily shaded area as it is in now. A great location in the summer but winter wont get the sun, maybe more than i realize after the leaves fall.
The run is attached to 2 x 6's set in the ground and the inside is creek gravel. I dont think anything can get in bigger than a chipmonk. the bottom 24" is lined with chicken netting. I'll run some power out their tomorrow and get a light hung. I need to decide how I will add some heat to the coop if they need it. Im thinking they probably wont from what others have told me. I have to decide. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.
A warning about the coop in the picture. I bought it from some place on Ebay. I debated building one and decided to take the quickest way out. ALMOST a mistake. You will see these advertised a lot. BEWARE......The concept is great. The components are terribly made. I do a lot of wood working so rather than returning it I got out my clamps, Elmers wood glue and brad gun and spent a day re-fabing it and used the materials they provided. Otherwise it arrives as a real piece of crap. Hardware is the cheapest junk available so if you get tempted to buy one of these and your not handly with woodworking AVOID the temptation. Rebuilt it came out fine and I finished it off with a good coating of Thompsons Water Sealer inside and out and let it dry for a week before letting the birds in. Im pleased with it. A little clumsey cleaning as I attached the pull out drawer so it doesnt. There is access on both sides and the front so it only takes a moment to clean. I do so daily. Most people receive them damaged and send them back. Like I said if your handly you can use the concept and materials and put it together so it will last.
Last edited: