Connecting coop to welded wire run

[Kalmia]

I have 3 chickens in an 8x8 welded wire run (producers pride). I just ordered a large OverEz coop (yes, its overpriced but I couldn’t find someone local to build one, and I don’t have tools/time) and will have it outside the run but connecting with the pop door.

I’m trying to figure out what to do so they can go from coop to run. The run has a removable panel for connecting a coop, but the hole is pretty big (red square in picture) is there a good way to cover the extra space (zip tie hardware cloth to the run? Plywood panel with cutout for pop door?). Do i cut a hole in the run? I will be moving the run and coop weekly for the chickens to get crush grass and think it will be easier to move separately so I don’t want to permanently connect them.

Background: I currently have a small house inside the run where they lay eggs but it’s too small to be a good coop (chicken math) so I’ve been bringing chickens into the garage overnight this winter. I want them to have a good indoor space so I got the large overez coop and plan to modify to increase ventilation.

Pictures: Run with red square over removable panel, coop that will arrive next week, current setup with too small house inside the run.

 

[CluckerFamily]

What about cutting a piece of plywood to the size of the removable panel and then cutting a whole in the plywood where the coop chicken door lines up to it.

 

[aart]

I will be moving the run and coop weekly for the chickens to get crush grass and think it will be easier to move separately so I don’t want to permanently connect them.

That's a lot to move!

What about cutting a piece of plywood to the size of the removable panel and then cutting a whole in the plywood where the coop chicken door lines up to it.

This^^^ maybe connecting with a short 'tunnel' of sorts.

 

[Kalmia]

What about cutting a piece of plywood to the size of the removable panel and then cutting a whole in the plywood where the coop chicken door lines up to it.

Ok, I can probably pull off rigging up a plywood panel & cutting a door. Is there any need to actually connect the run to the coop or is it good enough if they just sit close together? I don’t know how to make a tunnel work with the pop door.

 

[Kalmia]

That's a lot to move!

That's a lot to move!


This^^^ maybe connecting with a short 'tunnel' of sorts.

It is a lot to move but I got the wheel kit for the coop and have a weird but doable system for moving the run (involves furniture sliders and wooden boards) so I’m used to moving the run weekly, even just 4 feet each week provides them with fresh grass and keep the yard from getting completely trashed. This run is definitely not made to move though

 

[CluckerFamily]

Ok, I can probably pull off rigging up a plywood panel & cutting a door. Is there any need to actually connect the run to the coop or is it good enough if they just sit close together? I don’t know how to make a tunnel work with the pop door.

If you connect them, I would use bolts to connect them since you will be moving them daily for new grass, bolts would allow you to continue to unconnected them without having to redo any wood.

 

[tigger19687]

How big is the yard?
Could you put the coop/pen in one area permanently and then make a 'tunnel' connection to another 'penned or fenced' area? You could move the 2nd pen around the yard and just connect the tunnel to it each week?

What might be cheaper is the Shelter Logic carports. I had that and put fencing around it and then for the Winter had a cover over it.
Click on MY COOP under my avatar and you will see it, Page 9 shows in fall, page 12? shows with the carport cover over it for the Winter.
here they are at Amazooly a bit over $300
https://www.amazon.com/ShelterLogic...aterproof-UV-Treated/dp/B003AQLCI0?th=1&psc=1

 

[Kalmia]

My yard is quite big and I wondered about doing something like this with a permanent house & run with a tunnel to a movable run. I just got the new coop setup and need to put wheels on it, but it is BIG and I’m wondering how easy it will be to move, so this suggestion might be a good option.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I have 3 chickens in an 8x8 welded wire run (producers pride). I just ordered a large OverEz coop (yes, its overpriced but I couldn’t find someone local to build one, and I don’t have tools/time) and will have it outside the run but connecting with the pop door.

I’m trying to figure out what to do so they can go from coop to run. The run has a removable panel for connecting a coop, but the hole is pretty big (red square in picture) is there a good way to cover the extra space (zip tie hardware cloth to the run? Plywood panel with cutout for pop door?). Do i cut a hole in the run? I will be moving the run and coop weekly for the chickens to get crush grass and think it will be easier to move separately so I don’t want to permanently connect them.

Background: I currently have a small house inside the run where they lay eggs but it’s too small to be a good coop (chicken math) so I’ve been bringing chickens into the garage overnight this winter. I want them to have a good indoor space so I got the large overez coop and plan to modify to increase ventilation.

Pictures: Run with red square over removable panel, coop that will arrive next week, current setup with too small house inside the run.

Well, if it’s up against the side with the pop-up door,I wouldn’t think it would really matter how big the hole is on the run.I would just screw a piece of plywood where the gap would be between the coop and the ground.

 

[Silexian]

Ok, I can probably pull off rigging up a plywood panel & cutting a door. Is there any need to actually connect the run to the coop or is it good enough if they just sit close together? I don’t know how to make a tunnel work with the pop door.

I have the exact same coop. I built my run from 2x4 lumber and welded wire. I built it to fit between the trim on the coop. It just sits next to the coop. It is nice being able to tilt the run on it’s side out of my way. When I clean out the run area.