Recommendations for cost effective coop + run

[remingtonleigh]

Hi again! Before purchasing anything, I’d love feedback on brands / set ups! I’m not great at building things, so the simpler, the better. I’d also like to stay under $500, if possible!

I was planning to get a dog kennel, adding a roof, and then having a coop inside!

There are *lots* of predators around, so please feel free to add any predator proofing tips!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

What you're looking at, I'd put max 3 in there. I bought that exact coop, never added the nest box and decided to use it for baby chicks only. It's good that you have dogs, they really help keep predators away. Also a flood light at night. The Coops section really is a great place to get ideas about upcycling. I started out with an old dog house. The more chickens you get, the more you need to expand. I went from zero construction skills to a 112ft. Coop over the years. It's not really that hard unless you look at complex plans and schematics, lol. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/ Good Luck!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’d like 4 chickens.

I do plan to offer supervised free range time during the day!

I’m open to a bigger coop, too! Chain link, and the material of the kennel I sent previously looked to be more predator proof than what I’ve seen on other runs. Is that true?

Assuming 4 standard birds you want a minimum of 40 sq ft in the run + 16 sq ft in the coop not including nests - not all birds will do well with minimums and behavioral issues are harder to fix than to simple prevent so it's always recommended to go bigger if possible. I'd pick either Silkies or standard/ giants, as it's best to not mix types without a lot more space as bullying issues might be more pronounced. Occasional free ranging does not make up for being cooped up the rest of the time.

The reality is if you have raccoons, rats, weasels, or snakes... those are all things that can breach chain link or large opening welded wire. I have a chain link run and the bottom 2' is covered in hardware cloth to prevent raccoon reach through, but rats do occasionally climb in. But I'm aware I don't have a predator proof run and the chickens are locked up at night.

 

[remingtonleigh]

Assuming 4 standard birds you want a minimum of 40 sq ft in the run + 16 sq ft in the coop not including nests - not all birds will do well with minimums and behavioral issues are harder to fix than to simple prevent so it's always recommended to go bigger if possible. I'd pick either Silkies or standard/ giants, as it's best to not mix types without a lot more space as bullying issues might be more pronounced. Occasional free ranging does not make up for being cooped up the rest of the time.

The reality is if you have raccoons, rats, weasels, or snakes... those are all things that can breach chain link or large opening welded wire. I have a chain link run and the bottom 2' is covered in hardware cloth to prevent raccoon reach through, but rats do occasionally climb in. But I'm aware I don't have a predator proof run and the chickens are locked up at night.

All great to know!! It’s really helpful to have the numbers to refer to. I’ve scrapped previous plans, and am looking at larger coops, and runs!

 

[fuzzi]

I would recommend you take a look at fellow North Carolinian @fuzzi 's build thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/page-56#post-26819925

Hoop coops are certainly a great combination of cost, simplicity, and predator protection (when wrapped in hardware cloth). I think that's especially true for 6 or less chickens.

Thanks for the recommendation @Krugerrand !

Howdy @remingtonleigh , glad you joined us here at BYC. I'm in Pitt County, east of Raleigh. I had minimal skills when I built my hoop coop last year, did learn a bit. The coop's been fairly secure, just had a couple snakes get in where I had missed a gap. No harm was done, gaps fixed.

What I love about the hoop coop is its simplicity, relative low cost, and how it is cooler in our hot NC summers.

Ask me any questions you have about it.

March 2024

 

[rosemarythyme]

So with the kennel idea, the coop would be part of the run (a combo coop/run set up) or are you intending to put a separate coop inside the run?

What predators/pests will you be dealing with?

 

[Acre4Me]

Look up Hoop Coops in the coop article section, main page BYC.

Lots of predators: make sure you create an apron out from your enclosure, add hot wire, or bury anti-dig solution.

If you have bears, then you will need a very sturdy build, but I hear hot wire is a MUST with bears..bait it so they experience it. Build sturdier than you think or reinforce whatever you buy.


Good luck.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was thinking a coop inside of a run! The predators I know are around include raccoons, possums, feral cats, coyotes, and foxes. I want to keep the coop close to my house, since the predators seem to stay away from my dog’s fenced area.

Photo of what I have been looking at…

How many birds (and what types) were you planning on getting? Because that is a very small kennel and a very small coop.

The entire kennel will need to be covered with hardware cloth if you want a predator proof run, otherwise the coop at the very least needs to be completely secured at night.

 

[Krugerrand]

I would recommend you take a look at fellow North Carolinian @fuzzi 's build thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/page-56#post-26819925

Hoop coops are certainly a great combination of cost, simplicity, and predator protection (when wrapped in hardware cloth). I think that's especially true for 6 or less chickens.

 

[remingtonleigh]

Thanks for the recommendation @Krugerrand !

Howdy @remingtonleigh , glad you joined us here at BYC. I'm in Pitt County, east of Raleigh. I had minimal skills when I built my hoop coop last year, did learn a bit. The coop's been fairly secure, just had a couple snakes get in where I had missed a gap. No harm was done, gaps fixed.

What I love about the hoop coop is its simplicity, relative low cost, and how it is cooler in our hot NC summers.

Ask me any questions you have about it.

View attachment 3805978
March 2024

Thank you for the share!! I’ll definitely explore the thread posted.

I love your coop!!