My chicken house is made out of steel panels, t posts & 2x8s. It is all repurposed materials. I set metal down in ground about 3". But found out a few weeks ago that a small mouse had dug under to get in. So on to-do list to put in concrete footer around whole thing. Hardware cloth would be cheaper though. My "new" enclosed pen is made from 5' tall twisted wire, 2 3/8" drill stem and Poultry netting. Still need c purlin for roof and concrete footer. Location means a lot. There is also a thread called chicken coops around the world (or something close). Look forward to following you on the Texas thread. Best wishes with chicken math. 
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