Building a chicken coop/run

[Chullicken]

Well....not a bad idea but it's so humid here on Baffin Bay that the feed would clump up and maybe even spoil. I could definitely use a PVC type feeder so that I could refill the tube once or twice a week. I probably should add a pig pen somewhere so that I can have bacon with my eggs in the morning. <grin>

That is a really good point, I live in the mountains so I don't have that humidity issues as bad as some parts of the country. We definitely don't want that bad food..just attracts feed mites and the like.

 

[STxChickenman]

You learn a lot on this website. I had never heard of feed mites....but believe me...I am Googling and learning. Thanks.

 

[aart]

not a bad idea but it's so humid here on Baffin Bay that the feed would clump up and maybe even spoil. I could definitely use a PVC type feeder so that I could refill the tube once or twice a week.

Yes, very good point, even with the PVC I'd keep a close eye.
I feed daily, keeps an eye on consumption and feed storage is secure.

Grain mites are PITA, and very common when it warm and humid.
Luckily they are easily controlled/eradicated with DE (about the only thing DE is good for). https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/grain-mites.981212/

 

[STxChickenman]

DE is also good for fire ants. They are a HUGE PITA!

 

[STxChickenman]

Here is the latest pic on the chicken coop/chicken run build. I got the trenches dug all of the way around the coop and placed about an 8 inch strip of the galvanize dipped PVC coated hardware cloth into the trenches as well as Hardie boards at the same depth all of the way around (in order to prevent skunks and coons from digging in to get to my chickens or eggs). I also secured 2 x 6 boards all of the way around to serve as a base for the hardware cloth and Hardieplank panels for the coop itself The roof is down but I still have a few things to take care of so that they will be sealed and more square looking around the edges along with some minor nailing in just a few places that I could not reach while laying it down. The black spots around the coop are "panels" of the hardware cloth that I cut out to put up at each section but I figured out that I needed to pull the wire a little so that they will look better and fit tighter around the pen. I have all of the materials to fabricate a way to pull the 4 ft high sections in both top and bottom areas to make them look good. (On the far side of the coop I had put up two sections that convinced me that I needed to tighten up the wire. It looks like I won't be able to get out there until the weekend to move forward but at least I'll have some time to get into the workshop to put together or at least start other things, (the hardware cloth pulling board and pulley, egg laying boxes, watering system, etc.). It continues to move forward but at a painfully slow pace.

 

[STxChickenman]

Here are some updated pics of the chicken coop/run build. I still have a ways to go but it's coming together. Once I get everything trimmed out, painted and finished it is going to look very nice. This has been a much bigger project than I anticipated....but I love the process and the feelings of accomplishment from the progress.

 

[STxChickenman]

I have been working on the chicken coop project for about 2 1/2 months now....but I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. A little more trim work, a paint job, some egg laying boxes and roosts are all that I lack before I can call this a finished project. Almost finished!!!!

 

[aart]

I can call this a finished project.

Are they ever really finished?

I don't see much ventilation, for as hot as it is there I would think you'll want much more?

 

[STxChickenman]

Are they ever really finished? Great point....lol.

Yeah....I am still trying to figure out ventilation. The coop has an open door (32 inches wide) and I purposefully left off a window on the Southeast side of the coop, (the opposite side of the last picture). That is the direction of the prevailing wind which is usually very significant. I figure that with the windows open on the North side (as seen in the picture), the wind will provide enough circulation to keep the chickens cool. I need to just test that theory out a little more and if it isn't enough I may have to install another window or two. I didn't want them to get too much of a breeze.

 

[aart]

Looks like you have some shade from a nearby building, but that is probably only there for a fraction of the day?
I'd take off the 'eave covers' on both sides of coop,
replace with /12" HC against preds,
that will provide some good flow thru.

Large louvered vents on windward side should provide good flow without too much 'draft'.