Cost estimate for building coop/run

[AllenK RGV]

Additional thoughts if OP is in Dallas county, the coop must be able to withstand probing by mountain lions and bobcats. Since they are there and Black Bears are moving south now that they are a protected species.

 

[Birdinhand]

I think the $1,500 estimate is in the right ball park. it's easy to blow a lot of cash if you want to get fancy from there, like $5,000. OTOH, if you do some looking around, look in dumpsters, check craigslist for giveaway and are a bit patient, lots of low cost creative solutions abound. the single most important ingredient to me is hardware cloth, it ain't cheap and it's worth it's weight in gold.

 

[Latestarter]

I'm pretty sure he lives in the actual city if he hasn't moved... That was the impression I got from his new member post in 2014. Don't think they have anything you mentioned in that general area. Maybe cougars...

 

[AllenK RGV]

I'm pretty sure he lives in the actual city if he hasn't moved... That was the impression I got from his new member post in 2014. Don't think they have anything you mentioned in that general area. Maybe cougars...

Please don't ask me to prove my point and dig through old posts. OP if in Dallas county has the predators mentioned in Spades. I was surprised by a South Dallas posters home surveilance images recently. They had everything we had in Wise County. I would have never thought that Dallas County had all those 4 leggers too.

 

[Latestarter]

Lots of folks claim they've seen or caught pictures of lions but below is the confirmed sightings The 2014 sighting SW of Ft Worth the lion was actually killed and mounted by a deer hunter.

There are bobcats of course and they are often mistaken for their bigger cousin.

As for the bears...

"A task force was set up in 1978 to track the sightings, and the bears continue to migrate south at a slow but steady pace.

"Texas Parks and Wildlife is tracking these guys and keeping up with sightings of them. We think it's young males establishing territory," says Stainback.

At least four sightings have been documented on game cameras between June and August in Bowie, Red River and Smith counties.

Copyright 2016 KLTV. All rights reserved."

Of course, who knows really... Animals move Anything is possible.

 

[yippee]

Sorry folks, I was thinking my profile had my location listed.. Maybe I was thinking about my old post. I am still located in DFW, Arlington specifically. I am from a pretty well populated area. The only critters I have to deal with are opossums, rats, squirrels, and maybe a neighborhood cat or two. I can't rule out the possibility of a racoon although I have never seen any close to the house, always at friends' or family's houses that were in less populated areas.

As far as space, I really can have as much as needed. I have a spot in the yard between my garden and the fence around the yard that I would like to utilize. Ultimately though, if what I plan doesn't fit in that space I have plenty of space to play with.

Budget isn't really set either. I have about $1800 I COULD use, though I'd prefer not to if I don't have to. Time frame is also fairly loose. I would like to get some chicks started this year, so pretty much only limited by whenever the prime time to get them raised and outdoors here in North Texas is. Outside of that, I don't really have a specific time. And even then, I can postpone to next year if I have to.

I'll start scouring for materials and see what kind of bargains I can find. I have money to spend, but don't mind saving any money that I can. I'll start collecting what I can and start building with what I find.

Originally I started dreaming about chickens in 2014 (in the mentioned post), but it seems like each year it kept getting postponed for one reason or another. This is the year that I think will be the year I finally get to enjoy this great little hobby.

Thanks again for all the help everyone! Such a helpful place, I can tell that I'm in the right place.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Lots of folks claim they've seen or caught pictures of lions but below is the confirmed sightings The 2014 sighting SW of Ft Worth the lion was actually killed and mounted by a deer hunter.

There are bobcats of course and they are often mistaken for their bigger cousin.

As for the bears...

"A task force was set up in 1978 to track the sightings, and the bears continue to migrate south at a slow but steady pace.

"Texas Parks and Wildlife is tracking these guys and keeping up with sightings of them. We think it's young males establishing territory," says Stainback.

At least four sightings have been documented on game cameras between June and August in Bowie, Red River and Smith counties.

Copyright 2016 KLTV. All rights reserved."

Of course, who knows really... Animals move Anything is possible.

Is this a joke? I lived in Wise County, Tx which isn't listed on the graphic you chose. We had mountain lions there as evidenced by the paw prints left in the sometimes creek bed behind our property. Sure maybe the bobcats were out drinking and pulling one over on us by wearing a pair of mountain lion feet pads. I mean it is possible but I guarantee I didn't put them up to it as I am not that generous with my booze.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Sorry folks, I was thinking my profile had my location listed.. Maybe I was thinking about my old post. I am still located in DFW, Arlington specifically. I am from a pretty well populated area. The only critters I have to deal with are opossums, rats, squirrels, and maybe a neighborhood cat or two. I can't rule out the possibility of a racoon although I have never seen any close to the house, always at friends' or family's houses that were in less populated areas.

As far as space, I really can have as much as needed. I have a spot in the yard between my garden and the fence around the yard that I would like to utilize. Ultimately though, if what I plan doesn't fit in that space I have plenty of space to play with.

Budget isn't really set either. I have about $1800 I COULD use, though I'd prefer not to if I don't have to. Time frame is also fairly loose. I would like to get some chicks started this year, so pretty much only limited by whenever the prime time to get them raised and outdoors here in North Texas is. Outside of that, I don't really have a specific time. And even then, I can postpone to next year if I have to.

I'll start scouring for materials and see what kind of bargains I can find. I have money to spend, but don't mind saving any money that I can. I'll start collecting what I can and start building with what I find.

Originally I started dreaming about chickens in 2014 (in the mentioned post), but it seems like each year it kept getting postponed for one reason or another. This is the year that I think will be the year I finally get to enjoy this great little hobby.

Thanks again for all the help everyone! Such a helpful place, I can tell that I'm in the right place.

Please do not spend real money on your coop if you are in Arlington there are plenty of shipping companies throwing away pallets or wooden shipping containers. Craiglist Free stuff.. Save your money for the Hardware Cloth you will require.

 

[chickenmeadow]

I agree with AllenK RGV, pallets can be gotten for free, if in decent shape they are very strong and could be used for walls, floors, sand trays under the roosts, etc. & can be covered with plywood inside & out. Save money wherever you can to invest in fencing for the run, feed costs, chickens, supplements, exterior (battery operated) night light at front & back, etc. Best wishes.

 

[Latestarter]

Past two posts basically say it all. For 6 birds you need ~24sqft inside the coop. You need ~60 sqft of run space. Anything more on either number is gravy. Elevate the coop off the ground by 24-36 inches and enclose within a fenced/secure area to be the run. They can go under the coop for shade.

A 4'x8' piece of plywood (room for ~8 birds) for the floor (outside dimension). Build 3-4' 2x4 stud walls. leave the eves open for ventilation. put a corrugated roof on it. Put in an access door for cleaning. Pop door opening into the run area. Door sized gate in the run walls for you to enter the run. Build external nest boxes (2) on one side of the coop. Make your run 4' wide and include under the coop and extend out 8-10 feet beyond the coop in the other direction. That will give you 72 sqft (10 ft extension).