Coop needs work

[Rabbitz]

When we bought the place in January I knew the coop would need some work before it was safe for chickens. I have four chicks now and need to get this old coop in order. Any suggestions to prepare this place before the girls get old enough to move in?

The coop is attached to the well house. I can walk into the coop without having to duck down. I know it needs a door and serious cleanup.

 

[Aunt Tat]

When we bought the place in January I knew the coop would need some work before it was safe for chickens. I have four chicks now and need to get this old coop in order. Any suggestions to prepare this place before the girls get old enough to move in?

The coop is attached to the well house. I can walk into the coop without having to duck down. I know it needs a door and serious cleanup.

That has the making of a Home Sweet Home for your gals!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. What a great base you have to work with!

Since this coop is completely open air, I'm guessing you live in a warm climate? Open air coops are great for good health as long as the chickens can stay dry and get out of the wind because heat is much more dangerous for them than cold.

If you tell us where, in general, you are located we can give better advice.

The main thing I see would be to replace that chicken wire with hardware cloth because many predators, especially dogs and raccoons, can rip right through chicken wire and because rats, weasels, and snakes can get through the openings.

Is that screen door that's leaning against the building the door for the coop? The doors we're putting on my new coop are two old screen doors left from family members' remodeling jobs -- with the screen covered by hardware cloth..

 

[Rabbitz]

Welcome to BYC. What a great base you have to work with!

Since this coop is completely open air, I'm guessing you live in a warm climate? Open air coops are great for good health as long as the chickens can stay dry and get out of the wind because heat is much more dangerous for them than cold.

If you tell us where, in general, you are located we can give better advice.

The main thing I see would be to replace that chicken wire with hardware cloth because many predators, especially dogs and raccoons, can rip right through chicken wire and because rats, weasels, and snakes can get through the openings.

Is that screen door that's leaning against the building the door for the coop? The doors we're putting on my new coop are two old screen doors left from family members' remodeling jobs -- with the screen covered by hardware cloth..

We live in Riceville Tennessee and the summers are definitely hot here although recent weather has been chilly.

I think there is a family of bunnies living under the old hay and I am betting they will find a new home once that hay is removed. I have also seen the bunnies pushing the old chicken wire up and running out of the side when I approach the door. We plan to buy some hardware cloth and my husband thinks we may need to dig down a bit and make sure the bottom edge of the cloth is a few inches underground.

The door on a screened in porch was one of the first things we replaced when we moved in and I claimed the old one for the chickens. Adding the hardware cloth is a great idea, thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

We plan to buy some hardware cloth and my husband thinks we may need to dig down a bit and make sure the bottom edge of the cloth is a few inches underground.

Yes, anti-dig protection is needed and the bottom of the wire needs to be secure.

Some people bury a foot of wire vertically, others lay an apron of wire on the ground -- pinned down with landscape staples so that the grass grows through it.

You might or might not end up wanting to add a little more windbreak on one or two sides, but generally heat is more dangerous to chickens than cold is.

You couldn't have asked for a better structure to start with though.

 

[neo71665]

Yeah you gonna need a wind break for the winter months.

 

[Rabbitz]

Here is an update on the first renovation project at our new home. While the chickens enjoy a little outside time in their playpen, my husband begins removal of old wire and hay. It seems there have not been chickens living there for a long time but there are signs they used the coop as a place to toss their dog poop. I think they would just toss more hay on top, judging by more than two feet deep matting of old hay and poop.

 

[ReelFaster]

That has the making of a Home Sweet Home for your gals!

I agree, some great possibilities there depending on how much $$ want to spend and time.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Great thread!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Its an awesome start. Hardware cloth the walls, ground predator protection/skirting, and some wind breaks, you are in enviable shape.