dog kennel as movable coop and run?

here's my temp coop; it's been updated some since this was taken almost a year ago:

63385_chicken_kennel_20100904_2.jpg
 
I actually have a kennel inside my chicken yard ..... it is used whenever new birds (or the dog) are introduced to the group. I put the newbies in there for a few days so they can see each other and then they come out and all seem to get along. the dog was supposed to stay in there the first few days so that i didnt have to worry about the chicks - (he's small) but i came home from work and he was sitting in the yard watching em...

i have a new batch of chicks that will go in there as soon as they are too big to get out of it!
 
Thanks everyone for the input. It gave us lots to think about and lots of good ideas! Thanks for the pics too!
 
I actually started constructing my run yesterday out of dog kennel panels. We have 8 panels for our dogs (four dogs...used only in rare circumstances) and my neighbor gave me hers as well. So, I have figured out how to give the dogs AND the chickens a 20x20 space. I am going to line the bottom 3 feet of the run with some 1x1/2 that I have hoarded from my exotic bird days (bred them for 15 years), and putting a roof on made of 2x4 garden fence (also already have from a garden re-fencing). I think the 2x4 openings will be sufficient for keeping my girls in and the local wildlife out from the top. (we mostly have Opoosums and hawks) My hubby is a genious and has figured out how to make the support that I need for the 20x20 square roof!!! I love that man!!!!

I am building the coop from the frame-work of a 6x12 add-on that was built onto our storage building....hubby wants it gone....so I "volunteered" to make it disappear! I am buildin the coop on the outside of the run and attachin the gate opening (the extra one) directly to the side of the building where my hen door will be. (with the help of my talented, perfectionist, carpenter father!! LOL) I think my girls will be in heaven......6x12 coop and 400 sq feet of run for only 10-12 chicks!!! (I have 12, but think a couple might be roos) I can't wait to get things done!!!
 
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I have three... you can add panels and make them bigger. Work GREAT ... just pitch a tarp over the top to keep it dryer.

BTW... I have raccoons killing ducks and chickens recently... still not got in the dog lot coops - as we call them. They are getting the ones in the much more expensive coops. Just saying.
 
We have our chickens in a dog kennel just like the one in post #11. It is located under the cattle barn so is protected from rain and sun. The top is covered with 2X3 wire and my DH put two rows of wire at the bottom (excluding the door) on the outside and attached that to an electric fence box. The box is good for up to 10 miles of fence it says. The smaller one didn't do the job. I lost one hen the first night. But since the upgrade have had no trouble with the chickens in the coop at night. You can certainly tell when the skunks get hit by it though.
 
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I am currently finishing my coop. Hopefully this weekend for my 2 RIRs and 3 BOs. I am using a 10x10x6 dog pen. I have built inside the run a coop thats 3ftw by 5ft long by 3.5ft high house with 2 nesting boxes extending for one end and it is 22in off the ground. I have chicken wire secured across the top and will be wrapping the sides up to 4 ft with more chicken wire in a hope to keep snakes out. Also I will secure the corners with hardware cloth. My property borders the Great Dismal Swamp so I have all the predators and I am still debating if should bury hardware cloth or lay and apron secured to the ground about 2 ft out. I like what I read about using pavers under the fence. This may be better than using hardware cloth. First chickens, first coop so I’m not sure what to do. I may want to move it later so it seems like a lot of work if I’m going to move it sometime down the road. Its not to difficult to move but does require 2 people. Anyways….I think they make great coops and runs if secured correctly. I would also suggest that the cost will be about the same as building something sturdy. My run I purchased from my neighbor for $60. So I got off to a good start.
 

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