Built my own Chicken Crate

Pics
Date sort Score sort
SouthofEden said:
Thanks! I Did build my own coop. I bought one they quickly outgrew so I built the new one around it.View attachment 1164177
Click to expand...
Does that coop location get muddy/wet? And in Florida, an 8x8 structure on 4 foot spacers wont survive any kind of hurricane if that is a possibility especially not bolted down into concrete with Hurricane ties. Love your carpentry skills, what predators other than hawks do you need to defend against?

Suggested research would be to look into hardware cloth vs chicken wire, and possibly consider staining at least the areas in direct contact with the earth. Please don't get me wrong here. I am not trying to be tacky or overly critical just trying to help you improve on your coop design and consider long term options for your flock of lovelies as you have some great carpentry skills!
 
I have the 4x4 posts concreted into the ground (which is sand) No it probably wouldn't survive a major hurricane but neither would my house. ;) Both just survived Irma and my house survived Matthew last year. Whew! I do have predator problems, much the same as in NY. Raccoons, opossum, hawks, and the like. I originally thought I'd be ok with chicken wire around the perimeter and up to the roof. Wrong!:barnie Raccoon dug underneath. (We had solid bedrock in NY) Sooooo, I dug everything out and ran chickenwire under the coop too. And now it is under the roof as well. I have re-enforced everything I can think of now. Hardware cloth is a good option but a bit pricey and my husband has already made comments about how these are the most expensive eggs we've ever had (and we haven't even gotten an egg yet:(). I can and do like the suggestion of staining or somehow preserving the wood. I will work on that. Today I built a long flower box on the southern side. I want to plant some kind of vines that will grow up the sides to help shade them. They get so hot in the summer and I am hoping the shade will help. I have the coop in the shadiest part of my yard but this is Florida.:cool:
 
SouthofEden said:
I have the 4x4 posts concreted into the ground (which is sand) No it probably wouldn't survive a major hurricane but neither would my house. ;) Both just survived Irma and my house survived Matthew last year. Whew! I do have predator problems, much the same as in NY. Raccoons, opossum, hawks, and the like. I originally thought I'd be ok with chicken wire around the perimeter and up to the roof. Wrong!:barnie Raccoon dug underneath. (We had solid bedrock in NY) Sooooo, I dug everything out and ran chickenwire under the coop too. And now it is under the roof as well. I have re-enforced everything I can think of now. Hardware cloth is a good option but a bit pricey and my husband has already made comments about how these are the most expensive eggs we've ever had (and we haven't even gotten an egg yet:(). I can and do like the suggestion of staining or somehow preserving the wood. I will work on that. Today I built a long flower box on the southern side. I want to plant some kind of vines that will grow up the sides to help shade them. They get so hot in the summer and I am hoping the shade will help. I have the coop in the shadiest part of my yard but this is Florida.:cool:
Click to expand...
In regards to vines, you can never go wrong with Mexican Flame Vine, obviously not a Florida native. I like your idea, passionflowers are great for so many butterfly larvae like the gulf frittilary down here we have at least 4-5 varieties that use those as host plants. Depending on the variety you grow they produce fruit and I think non toxic larvae for your gals(not 100% sure on that score). You might check with the local County Extension Office or research native butterflies. Both of those vines would also act as pretty stout anchors for your coop as well. Smart thinking you! Planting season is soon on us to get plants established before you get 2 days of spring going right back into summer.

I think hubby needs more chicken time if he's grousing about the cost of eggs since I am sure you derive much pleasure watching Chicken TV.
 
AllenK@new2this said:
In regards to vines, you can never go wrong with Mexican Flame Vine, obviously not a Florida native. I like your idea, passionflowers are great for so many butterfly larvae like the gulf frittilary down here we have at least 4-5 varieties that use those as host plants. Depending on the variety you grow they produce fruit and I think non toxic larvae for your gals(not 100% sure on that score). You might check with the local County Extension Office or research native butterflies. Both of those vines would also act as pretty stout anchors for your coop as well. Smart thinking you! Planting season is soon on us to get plants established before you get 2 days of spring going right back into summer.

I think hubby needs more chicken time if he's grousing about the cost of eggs since I am sure you derive much pleasure watching Chicken TV.
Click to expand...

Hahaha! Yes true! I love watching my chickens.:love
I went in search of Mexican Flame Vine but the nursery talked me into Pandorea vine and some other vine with purple flowers on it. Not passion flower, because I know what that is, this vine grows rapidly and will quickly fill in the side of the coop. So hopefully by next summer, it will be well shaded. Thanks for the advice!
 

Similar threads

Browniebird
    • Like
Milk crates
Replies
2
Views
544
WingItRanch
WingItRanch

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom