Advice on my setup! Video giving rundown

[Kwest19]

Link to the video, it's about 6 minutes and provides better detail:

Gyst of the video:

I have six 5 month old pullets and two 2 month old pullets. Two of the older have began laying.

After a few weeks of look, don't touch between older and younger I've been allowing the littles to free range under supervision and they're doing well. Still cordoned off during the night in their own corner of the coop.

Looking for advice on coop design, specifically roosting bar spacing and predator-proofing.

Also looking for advice on deterring Cooper's hawks that have been eye-balling my ladies the last couple days.

Anything else you may notice that could be improved upon, I am open to all critiques and suggestions.

Thanks y'all!

 

[Kwest19]

Here's some pics.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Specifically in regards to predator proofing, you have all chicken wire, which won't keep anything out. Hardware cloth or welded wire no wider than 1/2" is the typical recommendation.

Is there an apron under the gravel around the run perimeter?

For roosts the minimum recommendation is 12" from wall, and 14-16" horizontally apart. Looks like you're using 2x4s? with narrow side up - are the birds using that without issue so far?

 

[Kwest19]

Specifically in regards to predator proofing, you have all chicken wire, which won't keep anything out. Hardware cloth or welded wire no wider than 1/2" is the typical recommendation.

Is there an apron under the gravel around the run perimeter?

For roosts the minimum recommendation is 12" from wall, and 14-16" horizontally apart. Looks like you're using 2x4s? with narrow side up - are the birds using that without issue so far?

Yeah I know the chicken wire won't do anything, husband is convinced otherwise The coop itself has hardware cloth over all the ventilation points, the walls are plywood then housewrap then T1-11 so it seems really secure. I make sure they are all locked up in their coop by dusk, no access to the run til the door opens after dawn.

Yes, apron under all the gravel.

The roosts are definitely not as far apart as they should be (I won't dig at my husband too much online, but I'll be telling him I told you so later ). I think I'm going to remove the bottom one altogether to allow for more walking about space, and get another roost bar up in the corner.

They don't seem to have any issue with the 2x4, they all perch up there. I know I've read about foot problems caused by too small of roost bars, can you tell me what to look out for to identify if this isn't working? What's a better material?

Thanks for your response!

 

[Kwest19]

you have all chicken wire, which won't keep anything out.

So what does it look like, a hawk getting thru chicken wire? Like will they start trying to rip it apart to get in? I'm picturing a jurassic park scene! I can't afford to buy all hardware cloth right now, but will be investing in it as soon as I can. In the meantime, will plastering CDs all over the top do anything to deter them? Just trying to do the best I can with what I've got.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So what does it look like, a hawk getting thru chicken wire? Like will they start trying to rip it apart to get in? I'm picturing a jurassic park scene! I can't afford to buy all hardware cloth right now, but will be investing in it as soon as I can. In the meantime, will plastering CDs all over the top do anything to deter them? Just trying to do the best I can with what I've got.

Chicken wire would be good enough for hawks specifically, at least from above - so if that is your main predator of concern the birds would likely be safe inside the run at the very least. Free ranging, I know some folks do the CDs like you have but I've never tried that myself to see how well it works. My run is netted over for hawks:

 

[rosemarythyme]

They don't seem to have any issue with the 2x4, they all perch up there. I know I've read about foot problems caused by too small of roost bars, can you tell me what to look out for to identify if this isn't working? What's a better material?

If they're roosting up there willingly without issue then it's fine. A lot of folks have their preferred roost type/set up but the birds are likely a lot less picky than humans are. As long as the roost isn't too narrow (roughly about 2" wide is good enough) or slippery or sharp on the edges, they'll use them.

 

[Kwest19]

If they're roosting up there willingly without issue then it's fine. A lot of folks have their preferred roost type/set up but the birds are likely a lot less picky than humans are. As long as the roost isn't too narrow (roughly about 2" wide is good enough) or slippery or sharp on the edges, they'll use them.

Yup, 2" and we sanded em down to make sure no sharp edges or jagged spots!

 

[Kwest19]

Chicken wire would be good enough for hawks specifically, at least from above - so if that is your main predator of concern the birds would likely be safe inside the run at the very least. Free ranging, I know some folks do the CDs like you have but I've never tried that myself to see how well it works. My run is netted over for hawks

Chicken wire would be good enough for hawks specifically, at least from above - so if that is your main predator of concern the birds would likely be safe inside the run at the very least. Free ranging, I know some folks do the CDs like you have but I've never tried that myself to see how well it works. My run is netted over for hawks:View attachment 3887678

Okay that is reassuring that they should be good from the hawks in their run. Thanks so much!!

What is your run size for your flock? I'm considering extending ours to give them some extra space if free ranging all day proves too dangerous.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is your run size for your flock? I'm considering extending ours to give them some extra space if free ranging all day proves too dangerous.

My build is 60 sq ft coop and 440 sq ft run for up to a dozen hens. I free range briefly in the afternoon with supervision, like maybe 15-20 minutes.