fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

How well does the coop do in winds so far (without the anchors)? Does it rock/sway or it seems solid?

I haven't noticed any movement, but the winds it has experienced so far this year were maybe 30 mph in thunderstorms. We will get much higher winds (90mph) if we get a hurricane.

In the 17 years we've lived here three trees have fallen in hurricanes, all of them towards the south. The coop is placed east-west, so north winds would impact the long right side. The coop is open at least 2' up from the ground on all four sides.

 

[NanaK]

I've seen mobile homes blown over in extreme storms here. We had lots of rain. Ground was saturated.

I'm a scaredy cat. I might would get 4-6 dog tie outs. The type that screw in the ground. Then throw a couple straps over and tie it down.

We get strong straight line winds sometimes with thunderstorms too.
Here I worry more about trees coming down.

 

[fuzzi]

I've seen mobile homes blown over in extreme storms here. We had lots of rain. Ground was saturated.

I'm a scaredy cat. I might would get 4-6 dog tie outs. The type that screw in the ground. Then throw a couple straps over and tie it down.

We get strong straight line winds sometimes with thunderstorms too.
Here I worry more about trees coming down.

I prefer to overdo rather than regret not doing enough, hence my use of hardware cloth over the entire coop.

I purchased these back in March:

They're 15" long. I am planning on installing them on the INSIDE four corners, so I don't disturb the apron. I have more plumber's strap I can use to attach them to the frame.

 

[NanaK]

I think that will work!
Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

 

[fuzzi]

I think that will work!
Peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

Better safe than sorry!

 

[fuzzi]

Direct sunlight, enough to sunbathe if they want to, plenty of shade to keep it cooler.

 

[fuzzi]

Started the project, see 'Hoop Coop Retrofit' thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-retrofit.1593936/post-27112593

 

[fuzzi]

A few minutes ago I went out to the coop to check the water and bring the chickens some watermelon.

I saw something unusual in the back of the coop...

I'm pretty sure it's a Rat snake, but HOW DID IT GET IN???


I released it down by the street, next to the woods. I don't kill non-venomous snakes. Besides, Rat snakes EAT Copperhead snakes.

I wonder if this guy/gal was the snake I caught on camera?

Addendum: confirmed by staff at Herpsofnc.org as a Rat snake.

 

[NanaK]

Yikes!
They can find the smallest hole???
It is possible it's the same snake you photographed. Have you seen any evidence of mice? Droppings in the feed bucket or around the waterers?
I had a huge black rat snake a few years ago. He was as big around as my arm and close to 6 ft long. Glad he was only after eggs. Hubby removed him from inside the coop. He had a nasty attitude and wanted to bite. Never seen one act like that. Added additional hardware cloth after that.
Last year a black racer crawled on top and got tangled in netting.

Sometimes it is difficult to find where they enter. Check the apron. Mine is buried.

 

[fuzzi]

Yikes!
They can find the smallest hole???
It is possible it's the same snake you photographed. Have you seen any evidence of mice? Droppings in the feed bucket or around the waterers?
I had a huge black rat snake a few years ago. He was as big around as my arm and close to 6 ft long. Glad he was only after eggs. Hubby removed him from inside the coop. He had a nasty attitude and wanted to bite. Never seen one act like that. Added additional hardware cloth after that.
Last year a black racer crawled on top and got tangled in netting.

Sometimes it is difficult to find where they enter. Check the apron. Mine is buried.

My apron is pinned flat on the ground.

I just don't know. Maybe it found enough of a gap under the tarp. I put zip-ties every so many inches, etc.