clinto
In the Brooder
Our open air coop in the swamp is almost done. I live in North Florida and our property is surrounded by swamp land. I built the coop and run in the highest point of the yard that also happens to have great tree cover for shade..
The coop itself is 4x8 with an open front. I had to put up screen over the hardware cloth because the gnats and mosquito's were driving the chickens crazy. They have been locked in the coop for a couple of weeks patiently waiting on the run to be finished. They are much happier now that they can sleep without shaking their heads from bugs bothering them. It is 3' off of the ground for predator reasons as well as potential flooding if we get tropical weather.
I covered 24' of the whole structure with old screen porch roofing that i had from the house that used to be on the property. It is metal with 4" of foam sandwiched in it so heat will not be a problem from above. the last 6' has welded wire fence over the top for hawk and owl prevention.
The run is 8'x24' and is just over 7' tall slightly sloping to the back. I had old storm doors that i used for the entry door and the door to the storage/ work area on the back. I just need to add a hardware cloth skirt to the bottom and it will be predator proof in the run. The only thing that i had to buy were 4x4 posts, the welded wire fence and 2 sheets of plywood. All of the rest was salvage and stuff i have been collecting for years. Its nice to finally use the stuff.
My uncle gave me an old granite countertop from a bathroom remodel. I just have to hook up the drain and i am ready to go. This back area will be off limits to the chickens and this is where the egg collection and storage will be. It is also covered and is 6'x8' allowing me to have plenty of room. i plan to install pavers soon for the floor. I made it so the predator proofing went around the back here as well just in case someone decided they wanted to steel eggs or chicken food.
I have a bunch of driftwood from previous projects that i am going to put in the run so they have something fun to play with. The area where the pile of sticks are will become a sitting area with potted plants and my orchids so i can chill and watch chicken tv. I hope to let them out in the run today for an hour and see if i can get them to use the ramp. We shall see how that goes.
The coop itself is 4x8 with an open front. I had to put up screen over the hardware cloth because the gnats and mosquito's were driving the chickens crazy. They have been locked in the coop for a couple of weeks patiently waiting on the run to be finished. They are much happier now that they can sleep without shaking their heads from bugs bothering them. It is 3' off of the ground for predator reasons as well as potential flooding if we get tropical weather.
I covered 24' of the whole structure with old screen porch roofing that i had from the house that used to be on the property. It is metal with 4" of foam sandwiched in it so heat will not be a problem from above. the last 6' has welded wire fence over the top for hawk and owl prevention.
The run is 8'x24' and is just over 7' tall slightly sloping to the back. I had old storm doors that i used for the entry door and the door to the storage/ work area on the back. I just need to add a hardware cloth skirt to the bottom and it will be predator proof in the run. The only thing that i had to buy were 4x4 posts, the welded wire fence and 2 sheets of plywood. All of the rest was salvage and stuff i have been collecting for years. Its nice to finally use the stuff.
My uncle gave me an old granite countertop from a bathroom remodel. I just have to hook up the drain and i am ready to go. This back area will be off limits to the chickens and this is where the egg collection and storage will be. It is also covered and is 6'x8' allowing me to have plenty of room. i plan to install pavers soon for the floor. I made it so the predator proofing went around the back here as well just in case someone decided they wanted to steel eggs or chicken food.
I have a bunch of driftwood from previous projects that i am going to put in the run so they have something fun to play with. The area where the pile of sticks are will become a sitting area with potted plants and my orchids so i can chill and watch chicken tv. I hope to let them out in the run today for an hour and see if i can get them to use the ramp. We shall see how that goes.
