First Coop..

[takeo808]

I know I'm lucky cause I don't have to worry about predators here in Hawaii...well, at least not where I live. We've got mongoose, but other than that only stray cats. I used plastic chicken wire on my run and haven't had any problems so far. As for your use of the chicken wire, I think people would say that the wire on the run might be a first line of defense against predators. If they can get through the wire, then they can't get to the coop door. If they can't get to the coop door, then they can't get to your chickens. Layers of defense.

As for the angle of the ramp, mine is a little steeper than 45 degrees. It didn't take them long to figure it out. They had no problem with the ramp. The strips of 1"x2" help a lot. I had my chickens out at about three weeks old and they could handle the ramp. I would think they chickens can handle a steep ramp. But, on the other hand you don't want to make it too difficult for the chickens to go into the coop. They may find it too difficult and just stay outside. I spent about a week of chasing the chickens and shoving them in the coop at night before they figured it out on their own. You don't want to have to do that forever, so I'd suggest making the coop/ramp comfortable and easily accessible so they want to go in there of their own accord.

 

[joan1708]

I know I'm lucky cause I don't have to worry about predators here in Hawaii...well, at least not where I live. We've got mongoose, but other than that only stray cats. I used plastic chicken wire on my run and haven't had any problems so far. As for your use of the chicken wire, I think people would say that the wire on the run might be a first line of defense against predators. If they can get through the wire, then they can't get to the coop door. If they can't get to the coop door, then they can't get to your chickens. Layers of defense.

As for the angle of the ramp, mine is a little steeper than 45 degrees. It didn't take them long to figure it out. They had no problem with the ramp. The strips of 1"x2" help a lot. I had my chickens out at about three weeks old and they could handle the ramp. I would think they chickens can handle a steep ramp. But, on the other hand you don't want to make it too difficult for the chickens to go into the coop. They may find it too difficult and just stay outside. I spent about a week of chasing the chickens and shoving them in the coop at night before they figured it out on their own. You don't want to have to do that forever, so I'd suggest making the coop/ramp comfortable and easily accessible so they want to go in there of their own accord.

No predators in Hawaii? I'm pretty sure folks have dogs in Hawaii. Loose dogs can really do some damage.

 

[takeo808]

I don't doubt it. But no loose dogs in my neighborhood. Plus, the coop/run is in the back of the house, which is surrounded by chain link.

 

[sramelyk]

Giving the rooster a trial run in the coop. Its not completed but its at 90%.. Decided to go with hardware cloth, just didn't want to take any risks.. Plus it was on sale..

 

[CluckyCluck]

That looks fabulous!

 

[MonsterClucker]

That looks really clean and straight forward. Do you have any access doors on the run? You never know what you might need access in there for. Great job! Chicks are gonna love it!

 

[sramelyk]

We are calling it done. I have 2 large doors in the back. Thats the only thing I have left to do is put the hinges on. Tonight they will be screwed in.

 

[takeo808]

The coop looks great. How many chickens are you going to put in there with the rooster? Any pictures of the inside of the coop?

 

[sramelyk]

Well, I started with 6 chicks figuring a few would die. I only wanted 4 egg layers originally. SInce that time a raccoon has eaten 4 of them. Pulling one of them through a dog crate piece by piece.. And to top it off one of the chicks turned out to be a rooster so now I have 1 hen and 1 rooster. I have a friend that has 4 hens already laying eggs so I may take them and get rid of the rooster. I'll try to get some pictures of the inside. Only thing I haven't done is constructed some nesting boxes.. I figure I'll make 2 for 4 or 5 hens.

I did however catch the raccoon last night, the first night having the trap out. He is getting relocated today.

 

[BigRooNTN]

Well, I started with 6 chicks figuring a few would die. I only wanted 4 egg layers originally. SInce that time a raccoon has eaten 4 of them. Pulling one of them through a dog crate piece by piece.. And to top it off one of the chicks turned out to be a rooster so now I have 1 hen and 1 rooster. I have a friend that has 4 hens already laying eggs so I may take them and get rid of the rooster. I'll try to get some pictures of the inside. Only thing I haven't done is constructed some nesting boxes.. I figure I'll make 2 for 4 or 5 hens.

I did however catch the raccoon last night, the first night having the trap out. He is getting relocated today.

That a big'n. Is he the one that got your flock? My brother traps them and we have a friend who comes and gets them and trains the local hunters' dogs to coonhunt. A lost sport in the south (well almost). You may try putting up another barrier of fence with electricity attached. "Ouch"