coop and run questions

[comptonkids]

This is my coop, or, it will be soon

It will have a plywood floor
I'm reading that some roofing paint, blackjack something, is the best thing to put under the pine shavings


The coop will be 10x12
we have 21 chicks right now

I was going to add nesting boxes that I can access from outside

We live in a smallish town, while we do have a VERY large yard, we also have neighbors, and I have 2 Boston terriers (one is a puppy)

1) should I still do a hardware cloth apron around the coop?

2) if yes, do I need to bury it or would putting decorative wood chips on top be okay?

also, I have a couple ducks, do they need a separate sleeping /nesting area from the chickens?

Now the run

I originally planned on having it 8 ft wide and the length of the yard ( so 8x 55 ft)

Is that enough? I DO want them to free range but I want a safe place for them also

Is that too much?

Do I need to do anything beside the grass for the floor of the run? And d
should I apron all sides of the run? Or just the side that will be very close to a neighboring yard?

Thanks

 

[1muttsfan]

This is my coop, or, it will be soon

Vinyl flooring is very easy to apply, clean, and is durable


The coop will be 10x12
we have 21 chicks right now

Very handy to have. For 21 bird 4 boxes would likely be enough, but you could have more if you wanted.

We live in a smallish town, while we do have a VERY large yard, we also have neighbors, and I have 2 Boston terriers (one is a puppy)

1) should I still do a hardware cloth apron around the coop?

Wood chips are fine. You do want to attach it securely to the coop.

also, I have a couple ducks, do they need a separate sleeping /nesting area from the chickens?

Nice

Is that enough? I DO want them to free range but I want a safe place for them also

No amount is too much, but that is a good amount of space

Is that too much?

Do I need to do anything beside the grass for the floor of the run? And d
should I apron all sides of the run? Or just the side that will be very close to a neighboring yard?
Apron all around - predators do not recognize property boundarys. And anything growing in the pen will be decimated by the hens, they will eat and/or dig up every green thing growing.

Thanks

 

[bdjh]

I agree with almost everything 1muttsfan said. The only thing that I don't think is necessary is the hardware cloth around the coop. It's a solid, plywood floor, so it really doesn't matter what, if anything, gets under it, they still can't get into it. You'll definitely want it all the way around the run, and IMO, the 'apron' method is just fine.

Also agree with linoleum. Roofing paint is generally tar-based, and I don't think you want them living on top of it.

 

[Spartan22]

Agreed with both muttsfan and bdjh. But I secured my coop with hardware cloth all around so no rodents dig nor live underneath. In my area theres occasional raccoons, ground hogs and other critters that could go under 6" gap between foundation gravel and the floor of my shed/coop. Just to prevent foundation diggings specially for winter refuge I went ahead and did it. we have the same size coop, I love the idea of your big run but I can't, I have a fire fit and counsel type garden close by and vegetable garden . I wish I can have that size, maybe after I find a 5 acre property that Im trying to covet for a while.

On flooring I use FRP boards over the treated plywood, but someone I know used composite decking (too much money). Bout your coop, make sure lots of ventilations (you probably know that) and extra windows (I put 5 instead of 2 got it online for $35/piece in comparison to Lowes or Depot $75 to 100), in case they're cooped few days at a time in the winter.

 

[comptonkids]

Agreed with both muttsfan and bdjh.  But I secured my coop with hardware cloth all around so no rodents dig nor live underneath.  In my area theres occasional raccoons, ground hogs and other critters that could go under 6" gap between foundation gravel and the floor of my shed/coop.  Just to prevent foundation diggings specially for winter refuge I went ahead and did it.  we have the same size coop, I love the idea of your big run but I can't, I have a fire fit and counsel type garden close by and vegetable garden .  I wish I can have that size, maybe after I find a 5 acre property that Im trying to covet for a while.

On flooring I use FRP boards over the treated plywood, but someone I know used composite decking (too much money).  Bout your coop, make sure lots of ventilations (you probably know that) and extra windows (I put 5 instead of 2 got it online for $35/piece in comparison to Lowes or Depot $75 to 100), in case they're cooped few days at a time in the winter.  

should have enough ventilation
I'm adding on roof vents and a turbine vent

I'm hoping to move to a larger lot within the year
current we are on 1/4 acre, but it's enough for now

Hehe...Chicken math and all thay

 

[comptonkids]

Another question about housing

I'm now planning on a separate housing for the ducks, but would like them to share the run

Is this asking for trouble between. The chickens and ducks?

 

[1muttsfan]

Maybe, maybe not. Some people do well, others end up separating their birds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/66599/can-you-keep-ducks-and-chickens-together

 

[bdjh]

I'm picturing a prison yard, with the various gangs jockeying for control of certain parts of the yard. Only a matter of time before someone gets shanked, and there's a bird on a spit........