Clueless city slicker moves to country and tries to build a chicken coop

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hello and welcome to BYC. You have already received lots of helpful advice, and you should find answers to all your future questions that arise by searching the various forums. Have fun in your new home, building your new coop and run, and selecting and enjoying your future flock!

 

[Tookie]

Welcome! We're so glad you joined us!

 

[triciayoung]

I would wrap the entire structure with hardware cloth. Weasels and rats can squeeze through the tiny holes. About 3" of pine flakes in the bottom should pad their feet. I sometimes use pine needles from our trees.

Agreed

 

[AidKD]

Howdy! Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We're so glad that you decided to join us!

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kiki]

Thank you, that's a good idea. I was looking closely at the kennel and I think it's just the door and the roof that I need to seal off. View attachment 3520005

The other odd thing is it's built on brick. So I think I'll need to fill the bottom with some straw or something.

I'd wrap the entire thing in 1/2" hardware cloth and a roof.

I'd use dirt and peat moss to add to the floor.

 

[WiscoLinkie]

Thanks for the help everyone. I threw a big tree branch up for roosting in the kennel ( do they prefer the roost be flat or is a 20-30° angled tree branch going from the floor up to about 5 ft good enough). Will be wrapping the bottom half in 1/2 hardware fabric, and covering the rest of the roof. Just put in my order for 8 Dominique hens + 1 mystery chick. We got starter supply of pine flakes for the nests and some straw for the run. Actually plan on opening up the kennel during the day with that hardware fabric as a fence to give them extra run space and access to some of the yard.