Does this coop look okay in construction?

[ArizonaNessa]

KKcatknap is correct your predators will be snakes, coyotes, neighborhood dogs, hawks, and owls. Don't allow the chickens out in the yard alone until they are full grown or else hawks will take them. I live in the 35th ave/ Deer Valley area and we have coyotes that roam the neighborhood occasionally at night. I have had many people tell me they are concerned with feral cats as well but I have yet to see one bother full grown birds.

 

[Jen71]

I've read on here that predators appear where there is prey.
So, make your chickens very secure, and hopefully you'll never have a problem.

 

[tricketts]

Got it! Now my kids are all freaked out that we are going to have weird stuff in our backyard.

!! I will send updated pics once I make the changes recommended. I really appreciate everyones help and I will definitely check out the Arizona Thread.

 

[elmo]

Just curious...about the pros and cons of raised nestboxes, vs. nestboxes on floor level.

I'm looking ahead to letting our hens hatch out chicks, and surely for this the nestboxes will need to be down low so the chicks can get back in.

 

[xyresicchick]

i think one of the cons to having nest boxes on the floor tends to be chickens hobbling in there and taking a peck at the eggs to find out what they are... and of course this leads to them eating them if they realize they taste good. which is kinda creepy in a way, but it seems like it happens more often when the eggs are at a more viewable level. the only con i can really think of with the nests being up high is eggs rolling out... or the chickens not realizing that is where they are supposed to lay the eggs.

i dont have a coop or chickens yet... BUT this is what i have read in many many books and on many threads on here.

 

[underground chickenman]

Quote:
Your main concern will probably be raccoons. You may think you don't have them, but I bet you do. Even if you don't now, you will. Chickens are raccoon magnets. You will also have mice and rats, which can easily get through 1-inch chicken wire.

I would cover everything with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and nail it on with the U-shaped nails they use to nail barbed wire to fence posts, or use the heavy-duty 1-inch long staples you use in a power stapler.

UGCM

 

[Nava]

Quote:
or you can raise the roost, they like high spots to sleep