Coop building - wire question

[callieriggs]

So we are looking to convert our kids playset into a chicken coop in the next month or two. They need more room and I need to be able to stand up when I try to clean out their run! Since we are converting the playset we have a LOT more space but that will require a lot of wire fencing/hardware cloth for the run. Has anyone ever used either welded wire fencing or the horse fencing that they sell at tractor supply for their coop instead of hardware cloth? I would love to get the wire because it is sold in 72 inch height instead of having to overlap with the hardware cloth. Also, are there any concerns I should have for the chickens in the "playset coop"? Things I need to be sure I do etc? Thanks!

 

[curious chickee]

I use no climb horse fencing for my run, with hardware cloth along the bottom to keep chicks in. Across the top I use poultry netting.

 

[aart]

Depends on your daytime predator load and if you're around a lot.
I use 2x4 welded wire for run.....but am home all the time.

Pics of playset please?

 

[callieriggs]

Here is a pic of the playset.


We are planning on using the house part and the swing side as a run. We are going to take down the monkey bars side and reuse the wood for other parts of the coop and run. I don't think we have a huge problem with daytime predators but I also don't always close their house when the weather is nice so they can be in or out and get plenty of ventilation. We especially want them to have more room when we take trips because they won't get to free range when we go out of town.

 

[aart]

Here is a pic of the playset.


We are planning on using the house part and the swing side as a run. We are going to take down the monkey bars side and reuse the wood for other parts of the coop and run. I don't think we have a huge problem with daytime predators but I also don't always close their house when the weather is nice so they can be in or out and get plenty of ventilation. We especially want them to have more room when we take trips because they won't get to free range when we go out of town.

If you don't always close the coop(house?) at night then you need night time type protection on all parts......especially if you are out of town.

 

[callieriggs]

I think yes, we do need to have the coop secure. We are talking about running some hardware cloth toward the bottom of the coop, maybe 3 feet high but do you guys think that the welded wire would be sufficient higher up? Any other suggestions on how to keep costs down would be appreciated! This is going to be a castle for the girls, especially since there are only 3 of them!