First timer

[Uniqueusername]

Finished my first coop and run this past weekend. Made the coop myself from scratch, but bought the run frame. The run only came w/ poultry fencing, so I wrapped the sides and made the apron w/ hardware cloth, and used welded metal fencing for the roof. (We have lots of raccoons, so I didn’t want to risk them climbing up and dropping in. Found an old tractor tire to use as a duster. My feeder and water tripod are ordered on the way. I planned to build my own, but ran out of time before my shoulder surgery. It was a mad dash to get the coop/run completed before I went under the knife. My chicks are still a month from moving out of the brooder, but I’ll be in a sling for 5-6 weeks, so needed to get it done! It was a fun project. We plan to add an old bench and chair to the run for some additional perches. As well as close in a portion of the back wall for rain proofing. Can’t wait to see how our girls like it.

 

[HappyDuckie]

Awesome coop! I hope your shoulder is doing well. What kind of chicks do ya have?

 

[Uniqueusername]

Thanks! We went w/ a mixed bag, 7 total. Blue & snowy easter-eggers, new hampshire red, white leghorn, & a Dominique. They’re all healthy & happy so far. It’s been fun watching how much they’re growing & their personalities are developing in just 2-3 weeks.

 

[HappyDuckie]

They sure do! I've got a little brahma that's decided he likes people... lol I pretty much never handled them, he's lived outside since day 1, and yet he runs and jumps on me whenever he sees me, and follows me around the yard alll day

 

[neo71665]

That's a nice set up there.

 

[aart]

That's an awesome run!
What does inside of coop look like?
Can you get in there to clean and examine birds off the roost??

Oh, and..... a 'late' Welcome to BYC! @Uniqueusername
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Uniqueusername]

Thnx @aart. I’ll post some more pics when I’m up and moving around more. Had rotator cuff surgery yesterday afternoon. NO fun. I’m in central MS, so temps will always be moderate down here, compared to my northern And western friends. (I updated my profile, thanks). I put 2 large hinged doors on the backside for easy access/cleaning. I attached barrel bolts on them for security. A friend of mine had 2 flat pieces of a textured plastic/plexiglass material in his barn that he gave me to put on the flooring in the coop for easier clean-up. I’m topping that w/ pinestraw for the coop flooring (plenty of that to rake up for free on my property) and I’ve found lots of folks down here use it for both coop and nesting boxes.

 

[aart]

I’ll post some more pics when I’m up and moving around more. Had rotator cuff surgery yesterday afternoon.

No not fun...... but rest, don't rush it.

 

[Alaskan]

With that fantastic run I would recommend tossing a grazing frame over a bit or 2 of that grass. That way you will have a little grass patch that they ladies will not destroy but can still enjoy.

 

[Sally PB]

Awesome setup! You thought of a lot of details too. I saw the big spaces at the top of the door where the upper corners of the door are round, but the frame square. Then in another picture, saw the HC you used to cover the space (it didn't show in the first picture). It looks really nice. Good job, lucky chickens. Heal well, and welcome to BYC!