Coop question *picture idea posted*

[gsim]

Hutch should work if ventilation added. (did not see any) You have what you need for fencing, BUT: Dig a trench and pour cement in it after setting and stretching fencing. Will lock it down good and should be ok unless you have sandy soil. If sandy soil then attach an 18" wide roll of 2x2 welded wire to bottom of fencing after it is installed and lay it flat and them cover it with an inch or two of dirt. Then take 24" roll of hardware cloth mesh and surround the pen at ground level to keep coons from decapitating your chooks. Then install a fence charger and 4 strands of hot wire all around to discourage coons or coyotes or some dogs even from climbing in. Overhead protection is optional, but be aware that hawks and owls really love chickens, especially small young ones.

 

[McCord6]

Its goign to take time to fix all the damages on the hutch. Needs a new bottom, right now it has wires on the bottom that are broken. I had a rabbit in there before and something broke the wires on the bottom of the hutch to get to the rabbit. Rabbit was gone by the morning. I'm not sure if I want to put new wires on the bottom or replace with plywood. I still need to cut the wall between the nesting area and main area to make a nest box. Add the doors to the back of the nest box for gathering eggs. Also need to figure out the roosting part, add a chicken door and ramp to it. So it's goign to take some time before it's DONE! Im thinking of cutting the legs of the hutch to make it shorter.

I already have the posts set up for the run, which has been up for a LONG time now but not completely finished. We got the posts put up and four 2x4s screwed at the bottom, just laying on the ground on the outside of the poles, hubby did that, Im not sure what he has planned on that part. I think the 2x4s are going to be for the TOP of the run, which hubby said he is adding tin roofing to the top, that makes sense in my view point, securing the tins to the 2x4s to rest on the top of the fense posts. This has been done over a month ago and never gotten finished. Each side of the run is 7ft 2 inchs (we didn't have to cut any of the 2x4s, they were already cut since they are recycled materials. after he has put the 2x4s together, he put the posts in to fit inside the square made).

Only thing we really have to do for the run is the fencing part and dig proof it and put the top on. (we have hawks and voltures and I have seen a few eagles, not sure if voltures are a chicken pest or not).

Im in no real big hurry to finish it up but I would really like it to get done as a PROJECT FINISHED.