In preparation for winter, and because I got 12 new chicks at the end of August/beginning of September (rendering the old coop too small for my flock) I undertook a project to clean out and remodel our barn to co-locate my 2 NG goats, 2 Pekin ducklings, 12 chicks, and 2 2yr-old hens. I am posting before and after pics to show the progress and would love to get some feedback from folks on additional improvements I should consider so PLEASE share thoughts. I can get more pics - like of the doors and latches on each separate enclosure.
First, outside pics. The barn is about 30 yards from our back porch. We have 8 acres of land. I free range my chickens during the day in spring, summer, and fall. They get locked up around dusk and let out after sun up.
So, our barn hasn't been housed animals (except mice, squirrels, and lord knows what else) in over 20 years. Mostly it was a storage spot for a bunch of stuff/junk my parents had or suffered my siblings/their friends had stored there. There is a pole barn on the left side and enclosed barn on the right side. The enclosed barn is about 14'w x 24'd. The rafters at the eaves are open to hay loft, pole barn, and outside for ventilation.
Previous coop can be seen behind pergola, as well as multiple pitiful attempts to keep troublesome goat kids contained in area - FYI nothing worked for said containment. We finally admitted defeat and they free range with the chickens.
Here are the after pics. The chickens have a 8' x 8' coop area, ducks have 4'x8' area, and goats 13' x 8' area. Ceiling is 8' high. Upon entering barn all animal enclosures are on the right - chickens then ducks then goats. Out back is 14'x14' penned area which will be expanded to 16'x16' for when the goats need to be enclosed there. I used 1/4" hardware cloth on the ceiling and side rafters, then 1/2" hardware cloth between goats and ducks. Chicken wire will be put up between ducks and chickens. Per advice here on BYC I used washers on all screws securing hardware cloth and chicken wire.
Window below is covered outside with metal mesh - not sure what it is called but is heavy duty and has diamond-shaped holes less than 1/2"h x 1/4"w. Window is also secured by board screwed into frame.
Chicken wire will be attached to 1"x4" boards seen below to separate ducks from chickens.
Shen, pitifully wishing he could get to chicken feed.
Door from hay loft repurposed to become door/hatch TO hayloft. Needs to pe pushed up, turned, then pushed sideways to get it out of the way.
2 of 4 cockrels (gotta love getting straight run chicks... If anyone wants a BR cockrel let me know!!) enjoying the new digs with some of the ladies.
Goat enclosure prior to adding duck area.
First, outside pics. The barn is about 30 yards from our back porch. We have 8 acres of land. I free range my chickens during the day in spring, summer, and fall. They get locked up around dusk and let out after sun up.
So, our barn hasn't been housed animals (except mice, squirrels, and lord knows what else) in over 20 years. Mostly it was a storage spot for a bunch of stuff/junk my parents had or suffered my siblings/their friends had stored there. There is a pole barn on the left side and enclosed barn on the right side. The enclosed barn is about 14'w x 24'd. The rafters at the eaves are open to hay loft, pole barn, and outside for ventilation.
Previous coop can be seen behind pergola, as well as multiple pitiful attempts to keep troublesome goat kids contained in area - FYI nothing worked for said containment. We finally admitted defeat and they free range with the chickens.
Here are the after pics. The chickens have a 8' x 8' coop area, ducks have 4'x8' area, and goats 13' x 8' area. Ceiling is 8' high. Upon entering barn all animal enclosures are on the right - chickens then ducks then goats. Out back is 14'x14' penned area which will be expanded to 16'x16' for when the goats need to be enclosed there. I used 1/4" hardware cloth on the ceiling and side rafters, then 1/2" hardware cloth between goats and ducks. Chicken wire will be put up between ducks and chickens. Per advice here on BYC I used washers on all screws securing hardware cloth and chicken wire.
Window below is covered outside with metal mesh - not sure what it is called but is heavy duty and has diamond-shaped holes less than 1/2"h x 1/4"w. Window is also secured by board screwed into frame.
Chicken wire will be attached to 1"x4" boards seen below to separate ducks from chickens.
Door from hay loft repurposed to become door/hatch TO hayloft. Needs to pe pushed up, turned, then pushed sideways to get it out of the way.
2 of 4 cockrels (gotta love getting straight run chicks... If anyone wants a BR cockrel let me know!!) enjoying the new digs with some of the ladies.
Goat enclosure prior to adding duck area.
Great job 
Got some lucky animals there 
