Beginner Coop / Run Ideas Please!

[cmom]

Most likely at some point in the future your birds will probably be discovered by predators. Predator proofing is my number 1. I would put an apron around your coop and pen to discourage diggers. Eventually the grass will grow up through it so you will be able to mow over the wire. I do use chicken wires but as I mentioned previously I also have electric wires around my coops and pens. Once a predator comes in contact with the hot wires they don't test them again. I do have in some areas with chicken wire and welded wire.

 

[neo71665]

You don't have to feed layer feed and if you have a rooster feeding layer is bad on his health. Many of us only feed all flock and give the girls oyster shell on the side. If you ever think you might want your flock to self support chickens hate change and you having to change the feed can or will interrupt laying. Of course adding a roo can also do it or increase laying if you get a good one.

 

[aart]

I'm a beginner chicken 'raiser'(?), 'Dad' (?), IDK

Chicken Keeper.

Security and ventilation are the 2 most important and often over looked items in coop building.

Yes....and keeper access is a close 3rd.

 

[Sally PB]

Yes....and keeper access is a close 3rd.

So true! If it is a pain in the butt/neck/back to take care of your birds, all the fun is lost. I thank my DH for building me a walk-in coop.

 

[ciananh33]

Most likely at some point in the future your birds will probably be discovered by predators. Predator proofing is my number 1. I would put an apron around your coop and pen to discourage diggers. Eventually the grass will grow up through it so you will be able to mow over the wire. I do use chicken wires but as I mentioned previously I also have electric wires around my coops and pens. Once a predator comes in contact with the hot wires they don't test them again. I do have in some areas with chicken wire and welded wire.
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Thanks a lot for all the example pictures and words of wisdom. Do you think my run is big enough for 5 hens? Maybe 10? I’m hesitant to free range them throughout the backyard. Although we have a dog fence (previous owners of house had a dog) I just know some sort of critter will get over or under and snatch a girl up. I’m speculating building a chicken-mower in order to get them some new scenery and more sun in the mornings when the sun hasn’t crested the tall trees in our back yard.

 

[cmom]

I had a coyote years ago jump over a 5' fence into a pen. It and some of the birds went back over the fence. It did manage to kill some and fatally injure some too. I think you're fine for 5 birds. If you decide to get more birds then probably enlarge your pen. I have dealt with fox, eagles, owls, hawks, coyotes, bobcat, possums and have seen some coons but the coons haven't bothered my birds at one time or other. A bobcat killed 14 birds one night. That is when the electric wires went up. I did free range originally but after some losses I stopped. They had pens but then I extended the pens out 10 more feet. Again, good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

My land is mostly open pasture. I planted the trees in the pens several years ago for shade for the birds. I also built rain/shade tables for the birds to get under. In the summer it rains most every day. The birds like to get under the tables.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you think my run is big enough for 5 hens? Maybe 10?

The Usual Guideline is that each bird needs at least 10 square feet in the run (in addition to the 4 square feet in the coop).

The more you can give them the better both because they'll enjoy the space and because it will be easier for you to clean and maintain.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

hi and welcome! You asked great questions and you've gotten a lot of wonderful and useful info. My only suggestion is that you start planning and saving now for your next, new and improved, and bigger, coop and run. Because ... ChickenMath! Yup, this sets in when you fall in love with your chooks and begin to realize that five is not nearly enough. And you start flipping the pages of a catalog and think, oooh, that's a pretty breed! And, why don't we get a couple of those? And, look, Honey, blue/green eggs, oh my! Lol, ask me how I know! All I can say is, don't say we didn't warn you! You can call me-
A Chicken Tender

 

[ciananh33]

Hello all! I guess this'll be a 2 week update, if anyone is interested.

I've taken and implemented some of the stuff you all have mentioned. Of most importance: ventilation.

Here in central NC we're having some major flash flood's so I'm trying my hardest to keep these girls as dry as possible. I've affixed a sort of janky tarp contraption on top that seems to be working 'okay'. My girls seem a bit annoyed at some wet feathers. I hope I'm doing enough! The inner coop seems to stay dry which is what I was most concerned about. The run however is a bit of a muddy, pine pulp, hay and chicken poop mess. I also dug out a quasi trench since this coop is on a slope. My house is at the end of a cul-de-sac at the lowest portion so we get some serious rain / water.

I've added, what I originally intended to be, a dust bath. It's a bowl / planter filled with a bag of playground sand. The girls are more or less eating it than actually bathing. I've learned that chickens naturally eat gravel / sand for their digestive process. Cool stuff! I was worried they were messing up the sand for the feed. Lol I'm going to have to get some sort of kitty litter scooper if these girls are going to be eating the gravel, because well, they like to go to the bathroom literally everywhere.

Here is some back side ventilation (x2 vents). I'm only going to make them this wide (about 15 inches) in order to conserve structural integrity of the coop.

Furthest back side vent port.

Inside the run hanging out with the girls.

Different angle.

This is my most clever girl. She's very inquisitive and brave. Every time I enter the run she's the first to say 'hi', start pecking my shoes or hands, and ready to jump out at any moments notice. My daughter has decided to call her 'neck pearl' because he neck feathers are molting.

Another girl with some damp feathers.

What are some ways to ensure dry chickens without having to revamp the entire chicken coop? Does anyone keep a fan / heat lamp inside their coops? Any ideas are welcomed and thanks again everyone! We're loving keeping these girls and the eggs are amazing!