Coop / Run Advise

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WildTurkeyDoctors

Songster
Apr 9, 2020
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Austin, Texas, USA
I’m planning to build a simple 8x8 coop in the corner of a 20x20 run. Will sink four 4x4x10 posts for the coop and use 1x6x8 for the walls. Metal corrugated roof. Plan for the run, I figure 4 feet of wire and bird netting on top. I’m new to chickens. Can anyone tell me a reason I may need to clear the earth in the run and coop? I am just planning to built the run right on top of the field without clearing it. I’ve read the deep litter method is good for hot climates (Austin, Texas) so am thinking I’ll go that way in the coop. Pick of area I plan to build on.
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WildTurkeyDoctors said:
Can anyone tell me a reason I may need to clear the earth in the run and coop?
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No. It's fine. The chickens will thoroughly enjoy making it a mess on their own! :)

WildTurkeyDoctors said:
Metal corrugated roof.
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Be sure to have plenty of ventilation to ensure it doesn't get too hot in the coop. Use those shade trees to your advantage and put the coop where it remains in the shade as much as possible.
 
Plan for the run, I figure 4 feet of wire and bird netting on top. I’m new to chickens.

Ouch, that hurts to think about. Make it tall enough you can walk in there. You'll be glad you did. Can you imagine crawling in that on your hands and knees? They poop a lot.

Can anyone tell me a reason I may need to clear the earth in the run and coop?

No, they will clear it for you. What is the drainage like? When I built my coop I added a few inches of dirt so it was above the surrounding area to keep it dry and water out. To me drainage is the most important part of locating a coop and run.
 
Ridgerunner said:
Plan for the run, I figure 4 feet of wire and bird netting on top. I’m new to chickens.

Ouch, that hurts to think about. Make it tall enough you can walk in there. You'll be glad you did. Can you imagine crawling in that on your hands and knees? They poop a lot.

Can anyone tell me a reason I may need to clear the earth in the run and coop?

No, they will clear it for you. What is the drainage like? When I built my coop I added a few inches of dirt so it was above the surrounding area to keep it dry and water out. To me drainage is the most important part of locating a coop and run.
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Good points. We’re in the hill country and our 1/2 acre lot is at the very top of a hill but it’s slopped a bit and the most shaded spot is a bit down on the incline of the east side of a large oak tree.
 
No need to clear the soil. Depending on how many chickens and how good they are at digging, you may every once in a while make an effort to turn the dirt over, but even that's not entirely necessary. I have lazy girls and they eagerly wait for the big chicken (me) to turn over the soil so they can get the big, fat worms.
 
WildTurkeyDoctors said:
Good points. We’re in the hill country and our 1/2 acre lot is at the very top of a hill but it’s slopped a bit and the most shaded spot is a bit down on the incline of the east side of a large oak tree.
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Ridgerunner said:
Plan for the run, I figure 4 feet of wire and bird netting on top. I’m new to chickens.

Ouch, that hurts to think about. Make it tall enough you can walk in there. You'll be glad you did. Can you imagine crawling in that on your hands and knees? They poop a lot.


Ridgerunner said:
Plan for the run, I figure 4 feet of wire and bird netting on top. I’m new to chickens.

Ouch, that hurts to think about. Make it tall enough you can walk in there. You'll be glad you did. Can you imagine crawling in that on your hands and knees? They poop a lot.
[/
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rosemarythyme said:
I agree, definitely go taller with run walls so you're not shuffling around hunched over in there (yes I have 4' walls on part of the run, yes we regret it).

Otherwise no reason to clear the plot, the chickens will be VERY happy to do it for you!
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appreciate the perspective and advise coming from experience! Seems like something I should reconsider! Mostly I’m worried about the effort it’s going to take to sink the mists because there’s so much limestone rock under us. Will have to rent a jackhammer inevitably it’s seems to get this done right.
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