My coop design and build blog

[Rancid Crbtree]

The focus of the day was snow removal (actually more like slush and water removal) There is more snow in the forecast (not a lot) and temps in the teens. I found time to do more door work. The test fit went well. I took it down so I can paint the door jamb but we are not going to have outdoor painting weather for a while.

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

A little work on the coop after plowing snow around it the first time. Hoping also to discourage bears from getting in the coop at night but If I must go to an electric fence I will.

 

[aart]

Where will you be keeping the feed?
That will be the most likely target for bears.
Might should be thinking more seriously about hot wire.

 

[Penpal]

Bears... bad
Hot wire... good

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

More coop/run progress. Another chilly/windy day. Lots of critters moving on the homestead.

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

The forecast is calling for 2 inches of snow overnight but we had a nice day today to work on the chicken run. We hung doors and trim today and improved the solar, auto door.

 

[aart]

Some very clever and skilled work here.
Might I suggest one accessory for the latch?
Stash a pair of wire cutters inside the run for when that latch jams.

Or change the latch to something that has to be manually 'locked' from the outside. The spring should hold the door closed enough to keep birds from escaping.

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

Im putting the build on hold for the day.

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

I took advantage of the damp weather and built a chick brooder. We put down many layers of protection over the new floor of the new construction. This is all scrap wood left over from the building project. All the buildings on the homestead (including the new coop and run) have the same color scheme (red buildings with a green metal roof.)

 

[Rancid Crbtree]

Ive had some folks question how/why im building my coop/run the way I am. My focus has been on 2 things, snow loads and predators as I know both of them are a constant threat. This was one year ago today.