Dog Kennel Coop/Run

[Sfowler]

So we are about to move and there is an old concreted dog kennel on the property. We were hoping to use it for our flock. Currently, we let them free range in the late afternoon but probably will not for the first few weeks so they can get used to their new home. Any thoughts on using the kennel for the coop and run?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Sure, just get a pickup load of aged wood chips to lay over the concrete.
I use a dog kennel for my chickens.
You'll need some 1" chicken wire 2' tall to keep in chicks less than 6 weeks old.
Do you have a secure coop to roost at night.
If not you'll need 1/2 inch hardware cloth over the top to keep out Raccoons.

GC

 

[Sfowler]

They are 20 weeks old and act like a bunch of old ladies going to bed as the sun goes down. Thanks for the netting suggestion.

 

[RumneyRoost]

My sister has a 10x10 dog kennel as a run for her four hens.
She hasn’t had issues with predators, but she does lock them in a secure coop at night.
At the very least I would cover the bottom few feet with hardware cloth to prevent raccoons from reaching through and grabbing a chicken.

 

[drinkoj]

I was going to build my coop inside the kennel but decided to build one outside of the run and connect it via a covered bridge.
I think it worked about better as I have, what I feel to be, a very secure coop for them at night.

 

[feather13]

We have a chain link dog run we use as one of our chicken runs. We put 1/2 inch hardware cloth over the chain link with like 1,000 zip ties to keep critters out (after finding opossums in the coop and raccoons grabbing the chickens through the chain link gaps). We also bought corrugated metal and put it on as a roof. It's not the most elegant looking set up, but it works great for us.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Why do you say the deer netting won’t keep mammals out?

Because a Raccoon has climbed the chain link fence and forced its way through the netting.

The netting is thin plastic.
The coon climbed the corner of coop located inside the kennel and left footprints up the side and roof of coop.

The Raccoon did not get inside my secure coop.
It kept coming back several times weekly. I set a trap and caught it. GC

 

[aart]

I’m not 100% sure. My husband said it’s not level. We don’t officially live there yet and I’m just making plans for the move.

Hopefully that means they sloped it to drain,
and it's good and flat so won't hold any puddles.

Why do you say the deer netting won’t keep mammals out?

Depends on the netting, and how hungry the mammal is.
I wouldn't count on it tho.

 

[RumneyRoost]

I'm considering the "dog kennel" solution, but please excuse the dumb question by a newbie...

Won't the raccoons and/or foxes just climb over the hardware cloth portion and slip through the chain link? Was thinking I'd have to hardware cloth over the the whole chainlink outside.

Hers has a roof, and a raccoon or fox wouldn't be able to fit through the chain link. The hardware cloth around the bottom would be to prevent a raccoon from reaching in and grabbing a chicken. Other predators like weasels would still be able to get into the run.
Since she has them in a secure coop during the night she has decided that's a level of risk that she's willing to take.

For my own girls, I have a secure coop and run. All opening covered with hardware cloth.

 

[Justso]

We are about to move and there is an old concreted dog kennel on the property. Currently the chicks free range in the late afternoon; however, we will not do this the first few weeks until we all acclimate to our new home. Any thoughts on using the kennel for their coop and run?

Lucky you!
It looks like a perfect run. Not sure where you are but you may need to add netting to the top.
It sounds like your flock is older and experienced, it helps if they're trained.