Another Stall to COOP Question

[4 the Birds]

how tall should the walls of the run be. I am building it this week end

You will be the most happy if the run is tall enough so that you don't need to duck when inside! I set 8' tall posts in the ground about 2' deep at the sides. Run a center ridge board at the roof up about a foot to get drainage off to the sides. You can construct a door as well. Bead board is a type of plywood but it is strong and painted on one side to weather the elements. You can get this at Lowes or any big box store. It is excellent for heavy snow loads and perfect to shade the run. Here is an old picture of my run and small coop. The coop and run have underdone many enlargements since then.

 

[jhammett]

coop almost done just need nesting boxes... was going to post pictures but site says i dont have permission

 

[OldGuy43]

coop almost done just need nesting boxes... was going to post pictures but site says i dont have permission

We just used milk crates on a frame to get them off the ground.

 

[Ridgerunner]

coop almost done just need nesting boxes... was going to post pictures but site says i dont have permission

That's an attempt by the people that run the forum to try to protect us against some of the nasty people on the internet that want to make our lives miserable or even destroy our equipment.

Once you get enough posts, you can post photos and links. Just go say howdy to a few newcomers and you'll then be able to post photos.

 

[Trefoil]

The only limit on where your nests go is that you want them lower than your roosts, so they don't sleep in the nests. I grew up on a working farm and never had predator problems, we had our dogs,cattle,horses, and sometimes pigs and a coon or two that ran with the dogs. I had a hen that roosted on a mares' back . I think what kept the predators away was all the activity.

 

[jhammett]

Ok I have the coop finished except the nesting boxes... It's a 9x12 barn stall all closed in with poultry netting (chicken wire) then outside the stall is a 16x16 run. Fences 5' tall no roof or ceiling it is just open topped for now. Because I am not sure if this is enough space for the 60 birds I have incubating. I plan on training them to come onto the run at night and being able to shut them in the coop for the night. I want the free ranging on my 5 acres during the day. I also plann on a final number of 100 plus birds. Thoughts?