Coop

[AngryRooster]

I was just wondering, is it best to have wooden or chicken wire walls for a coop? My old one has chicken wire but I'm planning to improve because even though my hens get good ventilation, they often get wet in the rainy season.

 

[Dwkuska]

I prefer wood so at night they are a bit more secure, and out of sight to evening predators. Although I have seen some folks have solid wood on 3 sides with the "face" open and chicken wire just lining the edges. Let us know what you decide and feel free to post pics!

 

[Pjsmithsparky]

Wood they would get so cold and it would be very scary for the chickens. I have turned my cubby house into a coop. Mainly because of the dogs( terrier) ( moodle, wouldn't hurt a fly though). But I breed budgies and cockatiels and just have 2 quail, never lost a bird from a dog
Though.

 

[debid]

You didn't say where you are but it shows CA in your info. I'm going to guess that ventilation is much more important for you than protecting them from cold. I would not advise a traditional coop. I'd put up one of those 3-sided wood coops with the 4th side being wire. That gives them shelter from wind and rain (as long as you face the open side away from the prevailing winds) while not creating an oven. I'd also look for a site in the shade to place it.

 

[mickey328]

We went with wood. Here in northern Colorado, we don't generally get a lot of freezing temps but we do get wind.

 

[ECBW]

I would suggest solid walls to keep out rain and wind. Have big overhangs and tug lots of vent under them.

Change the chicken wire to heavier gage material. I lost some birds because predators worked their way through the flimsy chicken wire.

 

[AngryRooster]

thanks

 

[bigboy70]

OK I'm looking at building my own coop from the ground up I live in milwaukie Oregon and we get lots of rain and some freezing temps summer highs are mid to high 80s looking to build a coop big enough for me to walk into and to house ten hens at least