Chicken coop suggestion

[JenMac75]

I need some of y’alls expertise. We had this area as a dog pin ( hasn’t been used in ages) so we decided it was a good start for our chicken coop, but we are stuck. We have many predators around here including blue indigo snakes that we love to have around , but now I worry about my chicks.
We also have owls, hawks, opposums and the occasional Raccoon. Most recently we discovered we have a small fox roaming the property perimeter
Anyway, right now we have already installed the hardware mesh to cover the perimeter of the fence. We bought a Bird net for the time being for the top of the run, but we do have our girls secured at night in the manufactured coop you will see in the pics.
My dilemma is that right now we have 5 hens , and expecting 9 chicks next week so we must build a bigger safe house for them all once they grow up.
We are planning on adding plants and more dirt as well. We live in South Texas and it gets really hot in the summers - I added a little pool for them to cool off but they are not interested. Maybe I just need a shallow pan.
Anyway, any suggestions are greatly appreciated on how to keep them safe at night under the covered part.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd beef up one of those kennels as much as possible, hardware cloth or small opening welded wire over the entire kennel from floor to ceiling, and then run your roosts and nests in there.

As far as the pool, I'd either empty that out when you get chicks, or just ditch it entirely. Shallow pans are better and less of a drowning risk especially with young birds.

 

[aart]

Deep all day shade is best but....
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

 

[Amylynn007]

Bury hardware cloth down into the ground where the run isn't on the concrete- predators can and will dig under your fence. You can also look up "skirting" hardware cloth.

 

[JenMac75]

Deep all day shade is best but....
I give a dose of Sav-a-Chick electrolytes/vitamins about once a week during heat waves.
It really seems to help....started this after they saved a heat stroked hen once.
Can mix up a smaller amount, just wrap the packet tight and store in a dry cool place.
Always have plain water available too.

BIG(9x14x2") chunks of ice last all day for wading, sitting, and sipping.
Much more useful to the chickens than frozen foods and treats.

Make space in your freezer!

Great feedback, thank you!

 

[JenMac75]

I'd beef up one of those kennels as much as possible, hardware cloth or small opening welded wire over the entire kennel from floor to ceiling, and then run your roosts and nests in there.

As far as the pool, I'd either empty that out when you get chicks, or just ditch it entirely. Shallow pans are better and less of a drowning risk especially with young birds.

Thanks!