Finally fished my new run

[Squeak61]

Believe me I'll be checking around my run and coop daily for any attempts to get in. The run and coop will be covered with a solid roof since coons can climb most anything including steel siding. My progress report on building is under the title Gramcracker's coop and some photos as I get some things done.

That sounds like a good plan! I'll be sure to check it out as you progress

 

[aart]

Nice big run!!

plenty of room for more birds.

Well, not really, need a bigger coop first.

I'm hoping the snow doesn't weigh down on it.

That is a very valid concern(and my first thought upon seeing the roof and your location), the snow will weigh it down. Can't really see how much framing you have to hold up snow loaded chicken wire, you may need to add some more.

Oh my! That sounds awful. We don't really have a lot of wildlife in my area. I'm hoping that everything works out, and that no animals pop up.

...and yeah, chicken wire might not hold up to raccoons, dogs, fox.

Might think about an anti-dig apron all around run, including the privacy fence(hope you can get over there):
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Sorry, you've gotten so many critiques after all your hard work.....we all just want to help.

 

[User395221]

Here's a picture

Good width door, to be able to get a barrow in and out.

 

[Squeak61]

Nice big run!!

Well, not really, need a bigger coop first.

That is a very valid concern(and my first thought upon seeing the roof and your location), the snow will weigh it down. Can't really see how much framing you have to hold up snow loaded chicken wire, you may need to add some more.

...and yeah, chicken wire might not hold up to raccoons, dogs, fox.

Might think about an anti-dig apron all around run, including the privacy fence(hope you can get over there):
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Sorry, you've gotten so many critiques after all your hard work.....we all just want to help.

I definitely appreciate all the tips! Chickens are always a continuous project, so I'll be changing my setup as time goes on And the coop is the next project haha

 

[Squeak61]

Good width door, to be able to get a barrow in and out.

Yeah, we made sure to keep that in mind.

 

[tigger19687]

I 2nd the apron wire and I might also put patio pavers around the outside to also deter digging.
I would also put a 2nd lock on the bottom of the door so nothing can push the bottom section in. A dog will be able to do that

 

[aart]

I might also put patio pavers around the outside to also deter digging.

Pavers can negate the function of the apron, best to leave them off.

 

[AuntJamie]

We dug a trench 18" deep and stapled hardware cloth to the bottom of the run walls then backfilled. It was a lot of HARD work but I feel like it will be difficult for something to dig under. This was before I learned about skirting. Also we used chicken wire...before figuring out how fragile it is. So stupid predators will try to dig, smart ones will tear through the wire. Instead of getting more sturdy stuff, I got a LGD. That should do it. Haven't seen that fox or badger since.

 

[User395221]

I got a LGD.

What's an LGD?

 

[AuntJamie]

What's an LGD?

Livestock guardian dog. I got a Great Pyrenees. He's a puppy yet but I tell you what, we haven't seen hide nor hair from anything since we got him.