Adding 2nd run.. If you can't laugh at yourself? (added predator pics)

[88heather]

I don't have to worry about my dog .. my dog walks in the other chicken run and doesn't bother those chickens. My chicks are in a dog crate now that he could easily lift the card board off and have a chick nugget if he wanted to.. He guards those chicks.. so my dog isn't a problem! Thanks goodness!!! In fact I feel better having my dog outside when the garage door is open and they are easy for the pickings b/c I know my dog wouldn't let anything in there with them! He's a good boy!

We have solid chicken wire on the main run and nothing has even tried to get in there. Yes.. I have planned for the top a larger wire.. (welded wire??).. large enough that snow can fall through and it can't ice up and collapse it.. I had heard if the wire is too small on top then it will make a sheet of ice over in the winter.. We have hawks so I had planned to cover the top too!

I was thinking of just using exterior paint on the OSB board to keep weather safe and just nail a piece on top (small and in an area that slants) that will create more shade spots.. unfortunately we had to down a LOT of trees in this area b/c of dwarf mistletoe infecting our trees. uggh! I will look into that plastic or metal roofing as some of this I can do when the chicks are inside..

I have thought about putting on the bottom part some of the heavier cloth.. I probably should as we have fox everywhere.. but I have never seen a fox near our coop?? My dog is inside at night but when he goes out he guards, I guess???

Thanks for the tips on the boards and measuring.. I can take all the tips/tricks I can get! I already dropped a panel on a tree stump and put a nice big bend in the wire.. uggh! No extra hands.. just me trying to juggle everything.. I do feel like giving up at times.. but I got to get those chicks outside.. (they are about 8-10weeks old)

I just want this done already! I wish my friend would call and volunteer to come back and help me again.. that helped so much!

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[rrgrassi]

First:

Tell hubby "THANK YOU FOR SERVING OR COUNTRY AND DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM!!!!!" for me and my family!!!!

Second:

Congrats on the DIY run! They can be a pain to build. I used the metal T bar fence posts for mine, with 4 feet in between each post. Then I attached cattle panel and hardware cloth around the perimeter.


The main rule I learned was "Measure twice, cut once." That applies to anything you have to cut.

 

[dsqard]

Wish I was closer, I would lend a hand in a heart beat! Just remember, measure twice - cut once!! Don't let setbacks get you down! This will definitely build up your tolerance level for frustration which will work out well if you ever want to do a plumbing repair in your home. I think plumbing repairs require at least five trips to Home Depot before you have everything you need, even if you make a list!

 

[88heather]

Thank you! I'm very proud of my husband!

We can't wait for him to come back but I have a long wait ahead of me unfortunately.. I was told to "keep busy" while he is gone.. so I AM!

Little does he know.. He'll be surprised.. my mind is already going wild thinking what I can do as I learn some of these tools! I want him to come back and see all the work I have done around here..

Measure twice cut once.. GOT IT! Thanks!

Guess I should go back outside before it warms up this afternoon.. warm up is expected so should work while clouds are out!

 

[88heather]

Tell me about it.. I feel I have been a regular HOme depot shopper and telling every employee there my frustrations and what I'm doing.. All the employees have been so helpful! Yay..

Ok.. pry self off puter to go outside or I'll have little to show for today!

 

[dsqard]

Quote:

I think we were typing that at the same time!

 

[dsqard]

Quote:
See those would be dangerous words to me!!!!

I can find all kinds of stuff to keep me busy! I know I could find breeders for more breeds I like within 300 miles. Road trips!!!

 

[ZombieChickens]

You hear horror stories of what military wives sometimes get into while their husbands are away. You should start a group. I'm thinking "Bored Babes Building" or something like that. Good job!!!

 

[fargosmom]

GO HEATHER!!! Whoohoo! I'm in the "I can do anything" camp with you. John and I built our coop and run mostly together, but there were days he couldn't pitch in and I was too impatient to wait, so I did construction-y things I've never done before and I learned so much! That's what you should be focusing on - every "mistake" you make is another thing you've learned, which only makes you stronger and wiser. And it looks great anyway! The chickens will love it. Anything that's too crooked can be covered up later, with lath, or other straighter boards, or anything decorative you can pile on top. As long as it's standing, you can "pretty it up" later. Think of it as a long-term project - you're building the bones right now but later you can add whatever else you like.
One tip if you're doing stuff on your own - sometimes you can nail boards in a temporary fashion to hold the piece you're trying to screw into, or prop the piece with some other wood - think of how houses are built where they prop up a wall section of framing with some extra boards angled out, till they get it fastened properly. Most important keep at it girl!

 

[vfem]

I can not stop giggling Heather... I so wish I lived closer to you, I would be out there looking like a fool with you.

Except it would be going worse because you know I would bring the wine, and we'd not want to use power tools so we'd just be out in the yard drinking and playing with chickens.