Attaching a run to a deer-blind coop?

[Disintegration]

Hello! I'm new to this forum, and I just joined because of how obsessed with chickens I've gotten over the past few months. I'm doing tons of research so I can get chickens, and I'm planning to join my school's FFA so I can show chickens at FFA shows. I have almost everything put together, but I'm really getting stumped on how I'm going to make the run.
We have a deer-blind out in our yard that's essentially just a shed. It's completely made of wood and it's weather-proofed from things like rain and wind, and it has glass windows too. We have no use for it, as my family doesn't hunt deer. It's pretty big, 10.5ft by 8.3ft, and the point from the top of the door to the ground is 9.2ft. It's also elevated. I thought this would make a really great coop. It's way bigger than I need because I only want around 10 large fowl.
The point that I'm getting stuck on though is attaching a run. I'd love to let them free-range, but we live right next to the woods and don't have enough flat ground to let them free range, as most of our land is really steep. I'm trying to save as much cost as possible, which is one reason why I want to use the deer-blind instead of buying a new coop. I'm wanting a run that I can walk into, and one that I could spend time with my chickens in. My dad suggested that we get a used dog kennel, but I'm not sure that it would be secure enough to protect the chickens from foxes and raccoons? If someone has done anything similar to this, what did you guys do for a run? I want a run that will be the safest for my future chickens.

Also, is it really needed to have a door to the coop/run that you open and close in the morning and evening? I'm not at my dad's house all the time, the week is split between my mom and my dad, and my dad doesn't want to do that much work for the chickens. There are automatic ones, but they're pricey and my dad is just wanting to have something open for the chickens instead of opening and closing it. Is that safe with a fully enclosed run? Could I use something like a dog-door to keep heat in but also save cost?

Thanks!
Sorry for any errors, this is my first post.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

It's pretty big, 10.5ft by 8.3ft, and the point from the top of the door to the ground is 9.2ft.

Fabulous. I like recycling and nobody complains about a coop (or run) that is too big. I like that height too.

My dad suggested that we get a used dog kennel, but I'm not sure that it would be secure enough to protect the chickens from foxes and raccoons?

Excellent idea. Many people use them. But you need to work to make them secure.

my dad is just wanting to have something open for the chickens instead of opening and closing it. Is that safe with a fully enclosed run?

This depends on how secure it is. You need a roof so nothing can climb or fly in. You need to keep any gaps at doors or corners really small. This might get a little challenging but door sills and such that the door fits up tightly against work, you can only swing the door one way tough. Not a big deal. You need to stop digging predators. A good way to do that on uneven or rocky ground is an apron. Do search on "predator apron for chicken coop".

Could I use something like a dog-door to keep heat in but also save cost?

I don't know your general location so I don't know what weather you are facing. If you modify your profile to show that it will always be available. Remember to protect your identity but knowing your general location comes in handy for a huge number of things.

Chickens can handle cold weather extremely well but there is a difference in 0* Fahrenheit and -20* F. Unless you're really extreme your job is not to keep the chickens warm. Your job is to allow your chickens to keep themselves warm with their down coat, just like the birds that overwinter where you are. You do that by keeping them dry and enabling them to get out of any direct breeze.

Dry does not necessarily just mean water. Chickens let out a lot of moisture when they breathe. Their poop releases a lot of moisture when it is fresh. You may have open water in there. That moisture needs to escape so the air is dry. Unless you are in some really extreme weather, chickens are not going to freeze to death. The big danger is frostbite. Moist air contributes to that. So what you need is good ventilation to allow that moist air to escape. But you do not want a cold breeze hitting them, especially on the roots at night. I don't know what kind of ventilation you have on that deer blind, but the way I manage this is to have permanent ventilation open up high all year around. As tall as that blind is you should be able to manage that. As big as that blind is if you can stick to 10 birds you are not in horrible shape but you do need some ventilation up high.

I think you have a great plan. Good luck!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What kind of birds are you thinking of getting?

 

[Disintegration]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

It's pretty big, 10.5ft by 8.3ft, and the point from the top of the door to the ground is 9.2ft.

Fabulous. I like recycling and nobody complains about a coop (or run) that is too big. I like that height too.

My dad suggested that we get a used dog kennel, but I'm not sure that it would be secure enough to protect the chickens from foxes and raccoons?

Excellent idea. Many people use them. But you need to work to make them secure.

my dad is just wanting to have something open for the chickens instead of opening and closing it. Is that safe with a fully enclosed run?

This depends on how secure it is. You need a roof so nothing can climb or fly in. You need to keep any gaps at doors or corners really small. This might get a little challenging but door sills and such that the door fits up tightly against work, you can only swing the door one way tough. Not a big deal. You need to stop digging predators. A good way to do that on uneven or rocky ground is an apron. Do search on "predator apron for chicken coop".

Could I use something like a dog-door to keep heat in but also save cost?

I don't know your general location so I don't know what weather you are facing. If you modify your profile to show that it will always be available. Remember to protect your identity but knowing your general location comes in handy for a huge number of things.

Chickens can handle cold weather extremely well but there is a difference in 0* Fahrenheit and -20* F. Unless you're really extreme your job is not to keep the chickens warm. Your job is to allow your chickens to keep themselves warm with their down coat, just like the birds that overwinter where you are. You do that by keeping them dry and enabling them to get out of any direct breeze.

Dry does not necessarily just mean water. Chickens let out a lot of moisture when they breathe. Their poop releases a lot of moisture when it is fresh. You may have open water in there. That moisture needs to escape so the air is dry. Unless you are in some really extreme weather, chickens are not going to freeze to death. The big danger is frostbite. Moist air contributes to that. So what you need is good ventilation to allow that moist air to escape. But you do not want a cold breeze hitting them, especially on the roots at night. I don't know what kind of ventilation you have on that deer blind, but the way I manage this is to have permanent ventilation open up high all year around. As tall as that blind is you should be able to manage that. As big as that blind is if you can stick to 10 birds you are not in horrible shape but you do need some ventilation up high.

I think you have a great plan. Good luck!

Thank you so much for the advice! I live in the northwest Arkansas area, I think chickens would probably be fine in the cold here. The windows have screens, so that will allow for plenty of ventilation, and I can always install a permanent vent at the top and cover it in hardware cloth.

 

[Disintegration]

What kind of birds are you thinking of getting?

I’ve got a variety of birds that I want, but I’m going to start out by ordering 8 day-old chicks and maybe getting a few more from shows. I plan on ordering from Murray McMurray Hatchery because the have lots of availible chickens for a mixed order.
My cart has a black cochin rooster, a blue cochin hen, a buff cochin hen, a partridge cochin hen, a white cochin hen, a barred rock hen, a buff brahma hen, and a salmon faverolles hen. Cochins are one of my favorite breeds, I love how friendly they are! In the future I’d also love a polish, and a lavender orpington or Isabel orpington, or a wheaten ameraucana.
(I’m doing this reply on mobile, I’m sorry if there’s any formatting errors!)

 

[Ridgerunner]

I live in the northwest Arkansas area,

I kept chickens for over ten years outside Prairie Grove. The coldest I ever saw was -4* F. With decent ventilation and breeze protection chickens do fine.

I took this one morning when it was +4* F. The wind was not blowing so they were outside enjoying the weather.

 

[Disintegration]

I kept chickens for over ten years outside Prairie Grove. The coldest I ever saw was -4* F. With decent ventilation and breeze protection chickens do fine.

I took this one morning when it was +4* F. The wind was not blowing so they were outside enjoying the weather.


View attachment 2400058

Thank you! I’ll definitely be safe on temperature then.

 

[Disintegration]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

It's pretty big, 10.5ft by 8.3ft, and the point from the top of the door to the ground is 9.2ft.

Fabulous. I like recycling and nobody complains about a coop (or run) that is too big. I like that height too.

My dad suggested that we get a used dog kennel, but I'm not sure that it would be secure enough to protect the chickens from foxes and raccoons?

Excellent idea. Many people use them. But you need to work to make them secure.

my dad is just wanting to have something open for the chickens instead of opening and closing it. Is that safe with a fully enclosed run?

This depends on how secure it is. You need a roof so nothing can climb or fly in. You need to keep any gaps at doors or corners really small. This might get a little challenging but door sills and such that the door fits up tightly against work, you can only swing the door one way tough. Not a big deal. You need to stop digging predators. A good way to do that on uneven or rocky ground is an apron. Do search on "predator apron for chicken coop".

Could I use something like a dog-door to keep heat in but also save cost?

I don't know your general location so I don't know what weather you are facing. If you modify your profile to show that it will always be available. Remember to protect your identity but knowing your general location comes in handy for a huge number of things.

Chickens can handle cold weather extremely well but there is a difference in 0* Fahrenheit and -20* F. Unless you're really extreme your job is not to keep the chickens warm. Your job is to allow your chickens to keep themselves warm with their down coat, just like the birds that overwinter where you are. You do that by keeping them dry and enabling them to get out of any direct breeze.

Dry does not necessarily just mean water. Chickens let out a lot of moisture when they breathe. Their poop releases a lot of moisture when it is fresh. You may have open water in there. That moisture needs to escape so the air is dry. Unless you are in some really extreme weather, chickens are not going to freeze to death. The big danger is frostbite. Moist air contributes to that. So what you need is good ventilation to allow that moist air to escape. But you do not want a cold breeze hitting them, especially on the roots at night. I don't know what kind of ventilation you have on that deer blind, but the way I manage this is to have permanent ventilation open up high all year around. As tall as that blind is you should be able to manage that. As big as that blind is if you can stick to 10 birds you are not in horrible shape but you do need some ventilation up high.

I think you have a great plan. Good luck!

Also, do you have any advice on how to attatch a hardware cloth apron to a dog kennel? I like the idea of using a dog kennel to save on work and money, but I’m just not sure how I would attatch the hardware cloth to the top of the kennel or to make an apron on the bottom. Would you have any suggestions for this?

 

[Disintegration]

I’m also worried about raccoons reaching in through the links of the dog kennel, if anyone had a way to stop that? Maybe putting hardware cloth on the bottom half of the dog kennel panels?

We actually have a camera that’s set up at the edge of the woods and it takes photos of animals that go by. I think so far we’ve gotten a couple bobcats and coyotes, if that gives any more info on the situation with whether or not I need an automatic coop door or if I can just leave it open.
I’m really worried about predators, I don’t want to loose a chicken to a predator attack that could have been preventable.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Also, do you have any advice on how to attatch a hardware cloth apron to a dog kennel?

I used J-clips but that dog kennel wire may be too big a diameter for J-clips to fit. You can use hog rings. I've used those for some things and they would be easier to use than wire. But that's another option. You can weave a strip of wire to "sew" them on or cut short bits and twist the wire to hold them together. Some people might use zip ties but I'd worry about them getting brittle over time.