Glad yall are true to it 'cause im new to it

[Wetchicken]

I acquired an 8' by 8' open wall coop with only chicken wire and a metal roof to use for some beagles I was raising. The dogs never used it and still don't so I decided to turn it into a livable chicken coop and get some chickens to hopefully lay eggs, entertain the kids, and add to our family with us and the other animals. I've about got my nest boxes built but I'm not sure how to go about protecting against the arkansas weather and elements. Its really cold in the winter and muggy hot in the summer. Advice or ideas?

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome from New Orleans. I would check out the chicken coop section for DIY coop information and how many hens will be comfortable in that space. This much I can add: chicken wire only keeps chickens in, and no predators out. You will need welded wire to keep predators out. You will also need to enclose a portion of your coop to keep your hens dry, especially over the laying boxes. Chickens need good air flow, with out draftiness. They will also need a spot for you to place roosting bars for sleeping at night. This is when they tend to deficate, so you want an area you can get to, to clean periodically. There is so much more you need to know about chicken coops, it would probably be better if you check out the coop forum, rather than me hijacking your welcome thread. Good Luck and please start a thread if you need to ask questions after reading some articles on coop building.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Welcome to BYC!

You could ask on your state thread about what other members do in your area. They can be found here ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/where-am-i-where-are-you.26/

Good luck and enjoy your time here with us!

 

[N F C]

Hi, good info from @Ursuline Chick and helpful link from @Yorkshire Coop...hope that all helps. Good luck on your coop project.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It doesn't get cold in Arkansas as far as a chicken (or northerner) is concerned. I suggest posting pictures of your coop in a new thread in the Coop & Run Forum for suggestions but without seeing it, I would secure 1/2" hardware cloth to the open air walls and extend it out 2' across the ground to form a predator apron and pin the outer edges of it with HD landscape staples. If the open walls will have strong winds blowing through during winter, you can secure clear reinforced tarps over all but the top 6 inches to form a wind block.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. @DobieLover has given you excellent advice. Good luck with your plans!

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC Thanks for joining us.

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome! Thanks for joining. Best of luck securing your coop.