An idea for a secure coop....is it overkill? Thoughts on design?

[StarSpun]

I'm with Alaskan. Your aviary set up is perfect for your area. Heat is going to be much more of an issue that cold or wind. I'd roof it so it stays dry, put up some roosts and a nest box and call it good.

That little coop is probably a joke. It's too enclosed for you, and probably too small for your flock. Plus, cleaning one of those little things has got to be a major pain.

If you really, really want a double fence, simply wire your existing structure again. Looks like the current wire it attached to the outside of the frame, you could put a second layer of wire on the inside.

Chickens only need a "coop" to protect them from the elements. Your structure will do that nicely for your area with a roof. Take Alaskan's advice on the flooring and you should be good to go.

Thanks Donrae! I think you guys may be right then. More brainstorming....eeek!
I really agree with the floor, great idea putting all wire at the bottom. I'd feel much better about that!

This forum is awesome....gives me lots to think about

 

[aart]

3peat on 'No to the minicoop' and add a roof with large eaves to protect the nest/roost area from rains. You might even need to be able to put something up to protect from blowing rain in case of a strong storm.

I'd tear those boards off the 'floor', they look pretty rotten, and use them on edge (if not too rotten) around the perimeter to contain the sand bedding.

I understand and agree with your predator paranoia...my entire coop is enveloped in 1/2" HC.

Nice that you already have 1/2" HC all over! HC is great if it's attached firmly.
I'd reinforced the attachment of it with screws and washers...or you say you want pretty trim boards, paint them first and attach with lots of screws going a couple squares in from the edges of the HC.

I would recommend an apron of wire fencing smallest mesh you can afford around the perimeter to keep diggers at bay.
Here's a graphic of an apron.... don't forget the corners tho note that the in the pic the mesh corners is out of scale.

 

[4 the Birds]

Salutations

So I am picking up my three baby chicks on Monday (I am in Florida). A Buff Orpington, a Black Australorp and an Easter Egger Super excited and have everything lined up for the brooder! Now I am diving deep into coop plans!

Maybe I am a bit paranoid about predators, but, I came up with an idea. We just purchased a property that already has a large open wire coop. The wire is not dug into the ground (which I may have to do, or at least set it on top of the ground and surround by plants, etc. Where all the edges meet at the wood frame, I am going to 'pretty up' by painting and adding exterior borders.

Here are some photos of the existing coop. It has a wooden deck floor. I guess that would also aid in keeping predators out? I am thinking of putting another one piece base on top of it, and having the edges go a bit higher around the perimeter so that floor material doesn't escape. Thinking about a sand base in at least part of it. And of course will add some kind of roof....

Now for my idea. I am thinking about getting this, painting it to my desired colours, and assembling it INSIDE the original coop

I'll have to do it in a way which looks right of course. We'll see if I have to make any modifications, but, I think it will be ok I may also have to add more ventilation options for the Florida summers....perhaps cut a part out of the side of it and add the wire, and then keep the cut out to use as a door to close over during colder nights....


Not only may this work out as double protection against predators, but it would also allow me to not worry about leaving the coop door open at night or have me waking up too early every morning (I can be a night owl and am not so good in the mornings, ha ha!) as they can just walk out on their own into the mini run until I get up and let them into the main part. Yes I am that paranoid of predators! LOL!

So I kinda have to play around with the idea....not sure about how the wood part of the coop will look within the main wire area. I'm sure I'll figure it out when the time comes. If anyone has seen any photos of something similar or if you have any suggestions, let me know!

Also, for days when I am out in the yard (a lot of the time!) I am probably going to get something like this on wheels so that I can move it around

Looks like a nice run covered with hardware cloth! I agree that some type of wire skirting around the base will aid with any digging predators and you can check the existing wire construction to ensure that a dog or large predator cannot rip through the side panels. Some corrugated metal panels added to the top will make the run shaded from the hot Florida sun and keep some rain out. Add a deep layer of sand or pine chips to the run over the existing wood if it is in good shape.

As far as a coop I will go against the grain here and recommend that you add or build some type of enclose into your run for the birds to seek shelter from heavy driving rains, a place to feel secure during the night, and a darkened place for nestboxes (also ensures that they stay dry). This enclosure is called the "coop" and what you have now is called a "run". If you are handy at all with wood then I would highly recommend building a simple box enclosure for the coop. An access door into the run and a few vents with flap doors would be needed as well as a hinged access door for cleaning. Below is an example of a simple coop that you could build in one of the run corners (not my picture). A kit coop such as the one you selected will cost much more than a home built box and may actually take as long to assemble the kit as it would a self build! Your tractor idea is a good one and will allow the birds to get out and peck around in the yard grass!

Simple coop with run enclosure (no side skirt shown on this picture which may allow predators to dig and get in)


Good Luck!

 

[StarSpun]

3peat on 'No to the minicoop' and add a roof with large eaves to protect the nest/roost area from rains. You might even need to be able to put something up to protect from blowing rain in case of a strong storm.

I'd tear those boards off the 'floor', they look pretty rotten, and use them on edge (if not too rotten) around the perimeter to contain the sand bedding.

I understand and agree with your predator paranoia...my entire coop is enveloped in 1/2" HC.

Nice that you already have 1/2" HC all over! HC is great if it's attached firmly.
I'd reinforced the attachment of it with screws and washers...or you say you want pretty trim boards, paint them first and attach with lots of screws going a couple squares in from the edges of the HC.

I would recommend an apron of wire fencing smallest mesh you can afford around the perimeter to keep diggers at bay.
Here's a graphic of an apron.... don't forget the corners tho note that the in the pic the mesh corners is out of scale.

Ahhh thanks so much! I think I will take the floor out of it....it DOES look rotten! I am going back to the house today to check things out. For sure going to build my own little three walled area inside. For the floor, I think I'll just put hardware cloth along the bottom and then cover it with something else, not sure what yet

 

[StarSpun]

Looks like a nice run covered with hardware cloth! I agree that some type of wire skirting around the base will aid with any digging predators and you can check the existing wire construction to ensure that a dog or large predator cannot rip through the side panels. Some corrugated metal panels added to the top will make the run shaded from the hot Florida sun and keep some rain out. Add a deep layer of sand or pine chips to the run over the existing wood if it is in good shape.

As far as a coop I will go against the grain here and recommend that you add or build some type of enclose into your run for the birds to seek shelter from heavy driving rains, a place to feel secure during the night, and a darkened place for nestboxes (also ensures that they stay dry). This enclosure is called the "coop" and what you have now is called a "run". If you are handy at all with wood then I would highly recommend building a simple box enclosure for the coop. An access door into the run and a few vents with flap doors would be needed as well as a hinged access door for cleaning. Below is an example of a simple coop that you could build in one of the run corners (not my picture). A kit coop such as the one you selected will cost much more than a home built box and may actually take as long to assemble the kit as it would a self build! Your tractor idea is a good one and will allow the birds to get out and peck around in the yard grass!

Simple coop with run enclosure (no side skirt shown on this picture which may allow predators to dig and get in)


Good Luck!

Thanks so much for the pics....and that is exactly what I had in mind! What I am going to do I think it build a little three walled structure, and then have the option of closing the forth wall up somehow. For the roof at the top, I actually have a great idea! We're doing renos on the house and replacing the roof over a little open area at the side. It's metal, and I think it will fit right over the coop! YAY!

Can't wait to get there today for measurements

Thanks for all the info and comments everyone!!!!