Alternative Chicken Coop Ideas

[AngelaPrivate]

I am thinking of transforming a large dog kennel into a chicken coop. Any suggestions as to design ideas?

 

[Folly's place]

Your climate matters in this, so approximately where do you live? How many birds do you plan to have? Pictures and dimensions of your exixting structure?
Mary

 

[AngelaPrivate]

Your climate matters in this, so approximately where do you live? How many birds do you plan to have? Pictures and dimensions of your exixting structure?
Mary

I live right outside Dallas. I have 8 chicks. I attached the kennel pic. It will have an angled roof.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Main difficulty with using something like a kennel (which would more likely be used as a run) is sufficiently predator proofing the entire thing, as well as providing adequate weather protection. Any gaps bigger than 1/2" need to be covered, which means hardware cloth or welded wire, with metal attachments, over the entire thing. Building a full or partial wall or two facing primary wind direction(s) should help with wind as well as blown rain.

At least ventilation isn't an issue, which is very important in your climate.

 

[aart]

Ditto What @rosemarythyme posted.

I live right outside Dallas.

Welcome to BYC! @AngelaPrivate
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[AngelaPrivate]

Main difficulty with using something like a kennel (which would more likely be used as a run) is sufficiently predator proofing the entire thing, as well as providing adequate weather protection. Any gaps bigger than 1/2" need to be covered, which means hardware cloth or welded wire, with metal attachments, over the entire thing. Building a full or partial wall or two facing primary wind direction(s) should help with wind as well as blown rain.

At least ventilation isn't an issue, which is very important in your climate.

Thanks...I will get hardware cloth. Plus I will get plywood to make covering from the elements.

 

[centrarchid]

I have 5 dog kennels used as chicken pens. Four inside a barn and one in a field. The field option is most relevant here. I have very good predator exclusion because of dogs, have used a single strand of hotwire 6 inches out from pen and 6 inches above ground to keep mammals out. Deer netting supported underneath by treated 4 x 4's keeps out raptors (I have a lot of Great-horned Owls). Tarps and shade cloth have been tried in past but can be in trouble with heavy snow or wind. A combination of plastic barrels and other materials are used as weather blocks.

Snakes getting in to steal hatching eggs has been only problem.

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

I am thinking of transforming a large dog kennel into a chicken coop. Any suggestions as to design ideas?

not to much change, I suggest. just a door will be lovely enough. or a little elevation from the ground. 2 to 3 feet to avoid predators and parasites.

 

[AngelaPrivate]

I have 5 dog kennels used as chicken pens. Four inside a barn and one in a field. The field option is most relevant here. I have very good predator exclusion because of dogs, have used a single strand of hotwire 6 inches out from pen and 6 inches above ground to keep mammals out. Deer netting supported underneath by treated 4 x 4's keeps out raptors (I have a lot of Great-horned Owls). Tarps and shade cloth have been tried in past but can be in trouble with heavy snow or wind. A combination of plastic barrels and other materials are used as weather blocks.

Snakes getting in to steal hatching eggs has been only problem.

Wow sounds like your chickens are in great care. You use plastic barrels as wind blocks, do you think if I plant a few bushes around the kennel that would be ok? Wind here (Texas) is strongest in April/May. Oh and the door to the kennel is perplexing since there is a gap whereas small creatures could get in or small chicks could squeeze out.

not to much change, I suggest. just a door will be lovely enough. or a little elevation from the ground. 2 to 3 feet to avoid predators and parasites.