Are coops neccessary in a covered run/enclosure?

[GeoJones]

I had an open 10 x 12 ft. x 5 ft. tall enclosure with a small house inside. I recently put a roof over most of the enclosure. I want to get rid of the house to give them more room, 4 hen s full time inside. Do I need a house or will a roosting section and nesting boxes be enough? The house in the pic was originally desinged for ducks but they were carried off by an owl last year so the chickens us it as a nesting box.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Depending on climate you may well be able to provide appropriate shelter without a traditional coop structure. In viewing your photo, I would suggest further securing the enclosure either way as there are still serious gaps placing your or flock at risk of further predation, especially if not secured within a secure coop.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

You'll want to put wire under those eaves for sure. Yes, in that enclosure I think you still need a sturdy coop. Just my opinion.

 

[GeoJones]

Depending on climate you may well be able to provide appropriate shelter without a traditional coop structure. In viewing your photo, I would suggest further securing the enclosure either way as there are still serious gaps placing your or flock at risk of further predation, especially if not secured within a secure coop.

It's a work in progress, I'm still rearranging things and building a new door. We live in the middle of NC.

 

[Mrs. Light Sussex]

Interesting question, I too was wondering if both a run and coop are necessary. The coop I'm in the process of building now is under a building built on stilts. The coop's location shelters the chickens from the elements and is cooler than outside in the summer heat. The flock will free-range during the day so they will get plenty of sun.
So to answer your question, I thing as long as you secure the area from local predators, what you have is fine. If you're unable to let them free-range, a sun exposed run is important for their health and well-being.

 

[paintedChix]

We are in NC, too. I have found that we don't need a full coop, BUT on our current "new" property (moved in the 1st set of birds late January 2015) we DO need HC on the lower portions of coops/runs and also an apron - which we are now installing around each coop/run.

We have several pens that are covered and only have roosting poles and nesting boxes (here on this property when we purchased and haven't been built larger yet - currently not in use as too low for me to easily get in to feed/water/collect eggs). These weren't fancy, but they are usable.




The larger pen has a "coop" that is a truck box put on top of a base of tin walls - works amazing well! Again this was here when we moved in - need to make changes/updates to the "coop" and repair the wiring of the run - HC at base, larger HC for the top of the pen, some broken boards, ventilation at base of "coop"...





We have 3 hooped, cattle panel coops (originally built to be movable tractors) that sit on the ground and have nesting boxes, a place to put a nesting box on the ground for brooding/hatching, and roost bars that are higher than the nesting boxes. Those are currently tarped, but will be purchasing this product, Solex XP, to go on at least one to see how it works. Plan on having it wrap the "coop" similar to the tarp in 1st pic below but with more coverage towards the front. If you want in-expensive, it's not the way to start, but it is one of the less expensive "solid" materials that will work on the hoop... Yes, we did end up building all these "hoops" slightly off center. I didn't think about it and wanted the one corner next to the door to support/hold a bucket that would become our in/out tunnel pop-door. Yes it does work. Didn't occur to us that it would make the top of the coop "off center"...DUH! Builder in-experience showing here.



All in all, I do love our coops and when re-building those little short ones up behind our house, they will be cattle panel hoops, too!

If you do take out the solid coop, and you already know that you have winged predators, yes, HC up on the top that is open would be best. Also make sure that you have a good ground security - HC cloth at least on the bottom portions of the wood fence and up to 2' of apron on the outside to prevent critters from digging in. I've even had bored ponies dig a hole at the corner of the coop next to the barn and let the chickens out! Some came back, some disappeared (probably a combination of hawks & learning to live in the woods). AH - critters...