mmaddie's mom :
I have 2 6x12 chain-link dog runs w/a chain-link panel for the covering each.
Right now I have my birds in one run in the car-port with an old dog house for shelter... I would like to move my birds and upgrade and fortify this Spring.
We are brainstorming and would be interested in what some of you have done with a similiar chain-link runs. Dog house is too small now and would need to either buy or build (?!?!?) a new coop.
Any ideas and/or pics would be appreciated!
Thanks!
I am building a coop that is all dog run chainlink panels it will be 24 x 18. It will have three 6 x 12 one 6 x 18 runs. Three areas for chickens and the last one for a big flock of Guineas. There will be a 6 x 18 area that will serve as storage and act as an airlock so that I can get into the pens without worrying about them getting outside. Mind you I am in the desert and this will be a mostly open air coop. There will be yard access for the chickens as well I havent figured that one out. I suggest you line all the exterior parts of the chainlink with chicken wire or small mesh wire cloth to keep preditors out. Then extend that wire down into the ground... for digging preditors. My eventual solution for that will be Stall mats. We dont have Mink and weasels but we do have racoons, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, and feral dogs all will grab a head or foot and pull it through the chicken wire.
When I built Moms Aviary I used 1/2 inch diameter chicken wire or when it gets that small its called aviary wire. I havent seen that in a very long time. She was raising finches and a small snake still got in there and ate all the eggs. LOL then it was too fat to get back out.
I am going to do a chicken wire roof too before I put the tarp over the whole thing. (summer temps 90-115) But you could easily do a wood roof or wood partial roof. You can attach wood by using straps to two by fours then build your roof the old fashioned way. I cant climb a ladder or I would do that myself. Very interesting thing about chainlink a 2 x 3 will fit quite nicely and firmly into the openings in the wire. I made perches that way on my last one. even used one of those to set my nest boxes on.
You might consider building a wood coop on the end of the runs so your birds will be warm cozy and preditor safe during the night. I will be doing only a wind break on two sides of mine. I cant start yet or I would have decent pictures for you. I do have some pictures of my old coop here on my BYC site. Picture it with a tarp over the top of the whole thing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=72852
good luck