First coop and run. Am I missing anything???

[Farias1124]

Hi all, I'm brand new to BYC and new to the life of raising a flock. I've got 3 white leghorns and 3 Rhode Island reds I'd say about 5-6 weeks old. (Almost completely feathered). I've been working on my coop and run for a few weeks and now being 95% finished just curious if you folks had any new guy pointers. I've got 10x6 chain link dog kennel panels making up 3 sides and a stick built wall laid with chicken wire. I also lined the bottom 36in of the chain link with chicken wire. The coop is 4x5 with two roost bars and two laying boxes. (I read a flock sticks to 1-3 laying boxes no matter how many are available)

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the top yet. Either cover half with some metal roofing panels I've got laying around and chicken wiring the rest or just chicken wire the entire thing? Any advice or opinions?

The ramp with come out of the door 2ft to a small "landing" if you will then to another 2ft piece to the ground. Does the ramp need rungs on it like a ladder for them to grab onto or can it just be a flat board?

What would you guys recommend to go around the bottom of the run to keep diggers out? Large rocks? Garden bricks?

Any opinions on hanging the feeder and waterer underneath the coop as apposed to just laying them on the ground?

Should the hens be locked in while they roost at night or is an open door from coop to run at all hours acceptable?

How thick should the roost bars be? Mine are 2"x2"

Thanks in advance for any info or pointers.
Brian

 

[Judy]

Welcome to our forum!

Yes, two nests are fine.

You might want the metal over at least part of the run for the shade, especially in summer. (A general location added to your profile is helpful for lots of questions.) Your coop may be warmer than outdoors so they will want to stay out for the breeze, shade and cooler temp. They might also find the coop too hot at night. Chickens have a great tolerance for cold temps, not so much for hot. 100 degrees is considered in danger of being lethal to them. Chicken wire on top will be fine for things like hawks and owls. If you have bears, I don't think anything but an electric fence with a good jolt will work. It depends a lot on what might threaten them. People are often surprised at the range of critters a flock of chickens will attract. Raccoons, for example, are everywhere, smart, and strong. You might want to check our Predators and Pests forum if you haven't already.

I'd put rungs, or cleats, on it. They can injure themselves by slipping.

Rocks or bricks might work. Lots of people lay wire fencing on the ground, fasten it to the bottom of the run sides, and tack it down til the grass grows over to hold it. A determined predator can get through a lot.

I hang one and set the other on a concrete block; it doesn't really matter. You don't want rain to blow onto the feed, though, as it can mold and make them sick.

An open door is fine, though of course not as predator proof. If one side of your run is chicken wire only, understand that that is not predator proof; many critters will tear right through it. However, in summer, your coop may be too hot for them.

I prefer the wide side of a 2x4, or a fat branch -- a little more width than a 2x2. Chickens' feet don't really curl around things like most other birds' do. I started out with the narrow side of a 2x4, then read here, then set up one of each as a test. They all used the wider one.

You'll hopefully get some more ideas from others. I wish you luck, and have fun!

 

[Just Chicks]

Hi, I'm a newbie too...just wanted to say love your coop..we are still in the planning stage..our chicks are still using a large dog cage up on a block against the wall of garage where hubby made a hole where they have access to the out door run he made...ty for posting it gives me ideas and reading responses help too!

 

[eddiejrnkendall]

I read in an article on here once that chickens do better with a 2x4 for a roosting bar because their feet can be flat and it prevents frostbite? I haven't had my chickens a winter yet, so I don't know for sure, but just a thought

your coop looks great!

 

[Farias1124]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice very much.

 

[Farias1124]

Finished the ladder today. Still haven't decided what I'm going to do about covering the whole run... I'd better get on it fast because my 5 maybe 6 ladies are ready to get out to their new house. (I think one of my RIR may be a rooster?????) anyways I believe I'm done besides the roof and possibly putting a door onto the coop to hold them at night.

 

[questions543]

Looks good! Just remember chicken wire doesnt stop raccoons, foxs, weasels, rats, mice and stuff like that. I would also put some roosts in the run... They love those

 

[cstronks]

Nice coop and run...the outside can be secured using bricks and or rocks...rocks might look better because they are more natural than bricks. As for hanging feeders, they aren't necessary, but they can keep both food and water cleaner than setting them directly on the ground. Flockwatcher made a good point in saying that ground feeders can be put up on some bricks or a concrete block to keep them clean. This is a cheaper alternative that effectively solves the same problem. Good Luck!

 

[Farias1124]

Looks good! Just remember chicken wire doesnt stop raccoons, foxs, weasels, rats, mice and stuff like that. I would also put some roosts in the run... They  love those

I've read a little on here and heard of the cloth wire or something like that for the first time. Is this a better stronger alternative to the chicken wire? Theres a huge pack of coyotes on the 80acre farm behind my 3acre lot. I've killed 5 this year already. I've never seen one up near the house, just at the fence line. I've got two chocolate labs and a pit boxer that roam freely. I've never seen a coon or opossum on my property or any signs of either. If anything were to get my girls I'd say it would be coyotes.

Thanks for the input and advice folks.

 

[AlmaB]

Here are some pictures of my girls coop and run under construction. We are using 18 gage 1/2 in wire cloth and will lay 5 inches of sand on the floor. We will also enclose the bottom of the coop for the ducks. So far so good

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