Coop Remodel & Run Build Complete

[aart]

I thought the burlap might be softer on their feet than grip tape? The tape certainly looks nice though!

Burlap makes me think toenails getting caught up in it and a great poop collector.
Sorry, worst case scenario trouble shooter here.

Sanding any rough spots and splinters is first thing to do.
Cleats at ~4" apart and an angle of about 30° from the ground works pretty good here.
Putting the bottom of the ramp on a concrete block(16" high) can be a quick angle reducer and it keeps ramp off ground so it doesn't rot as fast.

 

[Sarahs Hens]

Sorry, worst case scenario trouble shooter here.

Haha don't hide! I never thought of toes getting caught... or cleaning off the poop. I'm new to this so I need a worst case scenario trouble shooter!

The wood is smooth and sanded which I think is why they are sliding a bit (not so much today though). It's on blocks but I will switch it to a cinder block on end (which I think is what you're saying) and double up on the cleats I have.

Also, @Grey Gables , your coop looks adorable!! Do you have any more pictures?

 

[Folly's place]

It's beautiful!
Will there be enough support at the back section or the run roof, with it's shallow pitch, and snow landing on it from the front run section? Check your building codes and build better, if possible, with snow load in mind.
Mine is built as though we live in it, and when a 35' spruce fell on the roof there, there was no structural damage, just roofing repairs. And I wasn't in it at the time!
Mary

 

[Grey Gables]

Haha don't hide! I never thought of toes getting caught... or cleaning off the poop. I'm new to this so I need a worst case scenario trouble shooter!

The wood is smooth and sanded which I think is why they are sliding a bit (not so much today though). It's on blocks but I will switch it to a cinder block on end (which I think is what you're saying) and double up on the cleats I have.

Also, @Grey Gables , your coop looks adorable!! Do you have any more pictures?

Thanks! It's gone through a bit of an evolution as I learned. These first few are when it was first built. It's a 4x6 coop and the run is 15' long (including the section under the coop).

Then we added the section on the left side, dug down maybe 7" to add sand to the run (this shows the gravel base layer but not the sand), and gutter/rain barrel/water bar system....and Vivian (the cat). I've got solar lanterns hanging on the front and a couple solar predator lights around the perimeter of the run (that do absolutely nothing ... the wildlife aren't phased by a light coming on, I've learned).

This summer we put windows into the back doors so I could get more ventilation.

Sorry - I feel like I hijacked your post!

 

[Folly's place]

For winter, we use the heated bases for metal waterers, and have a light on a timer that goes on 4am to 8am every day, for better egg production during the darker months.
I've never used the nipple waterers, so no help there!
If your run is really predator proof, the coop door can be opened all the time safely. Otherwise, not. I have actual keyed door handles on my coop/ run doors, and they are locked unless the birds are out free ranging. Never underestimate what raccoons can do!
In bear country (we aren't, so far) you will want electric wires around your coop too.
Mary

 

[Sarahs Hens]

It's beautiful!
Will there be enough support at the back section or the run roof, with it's shallow pitch, and snow landing on it from the front run section? Check your building codes and build better, if possible, with snow load in mind.
Mine is built as though we live in it, and when a 35' spruce fell on the roof there, there was no structural damage, just roofing repairs. And I wasn't in it at the time!
Mary

Thank you Mary! For snow, I did consider that. I plan to keep the roof shoveled as we do with the cars and pathways. I'm comfortable with this considering our average snow load here. I do have another support I plan to put in. Wow, that is scary a tree came down but thank goodness the chickens were okay. It sounds like you built a bunker! I'd love to see photos for inspiration... you know, to prepare for that whole chicken math thing.

@Grey Gables your coop is gorgeous!!! I love that you added on already. Those are going to be some happy chickens. The solar lanterns and rain barrel are such nice touches too. Haha it looks like Vivian is pretty supportive of the chicken venture Either that or doing that cat thing where they have to sample every water source lol. Are those little black things above her head small solar panels?

For winter, we use the heated bases for metal waterers, and have a light on a timer that goes on 4am to 8am every day, for better egg production during the darker months.
I've never used the nipple waterers, so no help there!
If your run is really predator proof, the coop door can be opened all the time safely. Otherwise, not. I have actual keyed door handles on my coop/ run doors, and they are locked unless the birds are out free ranging. Never underestimate what raccoons can do!
In bear country (we aren't, so far) you will want electric wires around your coop too.
Mary

The heated base is another great waterer option. Yes, I am 99% sure the coop is secure but you can't quite tell till the predators are tempted. I'd like to lock them up at night for at least a week just in case. I've been inspecting the perimeter daily. Haha yes to the raccoons... the locking carabiners should do the trick. I did consider the key locks though. My thought is I can always upgrade to padlocks. Thankfully not in bear country either. Thank you for all your suggestions! It's nice to be part of such an experienced community.

 

[Grey Gables]

Thank you Mary! For snow, I did consider that. I plan to keep the roof shoveled as we do with the cars and pathways. I'm comfortable with this considering our average snow load here. I do have another support I plan to put in. Wow, that is scary a tree came down but thank goodness the chickens were okay. It sounds like you built a bunker! I'd love to see photos for inspiration... you know, to prepare for that whole chicken math thing.

@Grey Gables your coop is gorgeous!!! I love that you added on already. Those are going to be some happy chickens. The solar lanterns and rain barrel are such nice touches too. Haha it looks like Vivian is pretty supportive of the chicken venture Either that or doing that cat thing where they have to sample every water source lol. Are those little black things above her head small solar panels?



The heated base is another great waterer option. Yes, I am 99% sure the coop is secure but you can't quite tell till the predators are tempted. I'd like to lock them up at night for at least a week just in case. I've been inspecting the perimeter daily. Haha yes to the raccoons... the locking carabiners should do the trick. I did consider the key locks though. My thought is I can always upgrade to padlocks. Thankfully not in bear country either. Thank you for all your suggestions! It's nice to be part of such an experienced community.

Thank you! I have a list of things I’d still like to do but am happy with where it’s at overall. Tried super hard to make things function in a smart way to make chores easier. It sounds like you have a similar brain. Work smarter, not harder, right?

The black things you’re asking about are actually the predator lights! That was the first day I had them so I stuck them in the gutter to get max sunlight and charge. Now they’re attached in various places around the coop/run.

And yes! Vivian LOVES the chickens. It’s quite strange. We monitored their interactions pretty closely because I thought she’d kill them. (Pic from when they were little.)

 

[Sarahs Hens]

Thank you! I have a list of things I’d still like to do but am happy with where it’s at overall. Tried super hard to make things function in a smart way to make chores easier. It sounds like you have a similar brain. Work smarter, not harder, right?

The black things you’re asking about are actually the predator lights! That was the first day I had them so I stuck them in the gutter to get max sunlight and charge. Now they’re attached in various places around the coop/run.

And yes! Vivian LOVES the chickens. It’s quite strange. We monitored their interactions pretty closely because I thought she’d kill them. (Pic from when they were little.)
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Oh my goodness that picture is beautiful ❤!! What a pretty cat and chickens... they look like her kittens