Have coop need run

[Elkhounds]

So we have the Formex large coop coming. We have 5 chicks that are a week old. Plan is to have only 4 so if they all make it we will either have 5 in here or take one to our son's farm. Anyway I am thinking of building a 5' x 8' run with 2x4's with 1/2 hardware cloth and metal or fiberglass roof. My DW thinks one of the dog kennel's like below would work just as well. Something like that would save the building and such but it would be a little smaller. Also I can see I would have to do some adding of wire on the bottom. Cost would likely be about the same with the current cost of lumber. Coop will be elevated about 20-24 inches.

What are the thoughts on this for a run? We are in souther Wisconsin. Coop and run will be in shade by about noon all summer.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/941567-pet-sentinel-dog-kennel-with-cover.html

 

[DobieLover]

So we have the Formex large coop coming. We have 5 chicks that are a week old. Plan is to have only 4 so if they all make it we will either have 5 in here or take one to our son's farm. Anyway I am thinking of building a 5' x 8' run with 2x4's with 1/2 hardware cloth and metal or fiberglass roof. My DW thinks one of the dog kennel's like below would work just as well. Something like that would save the building and such but it would be a little smaller. Also I can see I would have to do some adding of wire on the bottom. Cost would likely be about the same with the current cost of lumber. Coop will be elevated about 20-24 inches.

What are the thoughts on this for a run? We are in souther Wisconsin. Coop and run will be in shade by about noon all summer.

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/941567-pet-sentinel-dog-kennel-with-cover.html

That coop is tiny and not large enough for 4 birds. The run size you want to build would barely meet the minimum run size most cite here which I think is too small. Add onto this a Wisconsin winter and I think you and the birds will not be happy.

 

[Krugerrand]

The dog kennel will also need either partially or fully covered in hardware cloth, depending on the predators you want to keep out.

Would you have any interest in a hoop run? They are reasonably simple to put together and the cost is comparatively affordable.

Here is what I did ... held down by steel t-posts.

I got the idea from Blooie:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/motel-chix

I pulled some ideas from others as well ... if you're interested I can share more.

 

[Krugerrand]

That coop is tiny and not large enough for 4 birds. The run size you want to build would barely meet the minimum run size most cite here which I think is too small. Add onto this a Wisconsin winter and I think you and the birds will not be happy.

Yeah ... that gets small. Consider hoop coops. Here is a great place to start:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/top-10-hoop-coop-ideas.76490/

 

[Elkhounds]

Ok Formex coop was returned. Starting over. More later. Thanks everyone.

 

[Percheron chick]

Good for you. You will be so happy down the road you did.

Ok Formex coop was returned. Starting over. More later. Thanks everyone.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Ok Formex coop was returned. Starting over. More later. Thanks everyone.

Good job! Thanks for accepting our advice.