hello i am new

[chick'n'run]

i was talking to my dad last night and he said we could renovate one of our sheds into a coop. We went to Home Depot last night, and we were looking at all kinds of materials that we could use. The shed is 7'7" by 4'7 1/2" and about 5'10" at the peak. We also planned a way to insulate it.

I have one question though. Is a double layer of chicken wire just as good as welded wire fence?

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I would use the welded wire.....be careful of the size of the square on the bottom, little ones can squeeze thru and a raccoon can grab legs from the outside of the pen....you might have to use both....using the chicken wire inside wired to the welded fence. Also you will want to bury the fence into the ground about 10" so predators can't dig under the fence or do something so they can't get in down there...your dad might come up with the answer....don't forget to ventilate the shed up top, screened of course...chicken waste can smell badly....Your on the right course girl....keep following your dream!
HappyHatch'en

 

[chick'n'run]

HappyHatch'en :

I would use the welded wire.....be careful of the size of the square on the bottom, little ones can squeeze thru and a raccoon can grab legs from the outside of the pen....you might have to use both....using the chicken wire inside wired to the welded fence. Also you will want to bury the fence into the ground about 10" so predators can't dig under the fence or do something so they can't get in down there...your dad might come up with the answer....don't forget to ventilate the shed up top, screened of course...chicken waste can smell badly....Your on the right course girl....keep following your dream!
HappyHatch'en

i'm a guy actually

 

[chick'n'run]

and i am gonna put a vent on it.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

And I'm SORRY GUY....and I'm an old guy....

 

[agirly4chicks]

I am not sure if anyone has mentioned this or not but you should take a Sunday drive with a truck and check out everyones trash.

Figure out what days the trash comes and go the day before or go to a dump or landfield even.

Good Luck

 

[Ridgerunner]

HappyHatch'en :

I would use the welded wire.....be careful of the size of the square on the bottom, little ones can squeeze thru and a raccoon can grab legs from the outside of the pen....you might have to use both....using the chicken wire inside wired to the welded fence. Also you will want to bury the fence into the ground about 10" so predators can't dig under the fence or do something so they can't get in down there...your dad might come up with the answer....don't forget to ventilate the shed up top, screened of course...chicken waste can smell badly....Your on the right course girl....keep following your dream!
HappyHatch'en

If your ground is real rocky like mine, instead of burying the wire deep you might put a 90 degree bend in the wire, like the letter "L". Then you only bury it a few inches deep but have it running parallel to the ground. Attach it to the bottom of the fence and extend it out a foot at least. Predators "normally" try digging right at the fence so it needs to extend away from the coop, not inside.

Dogs, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons can shred the chicken wire. You need to use the more expensive welded wire or come up with something strong. Sorry!

"Patandchickens" (she has several posts and a BYC page) has an article on ventilation that should be required reading for anyone building a coop. It's good.​

 

[chick'n'run]

the only dogs near me are little jack russel terriers, and they aren't even at my neighbor's house most of the time. we don't have foxes or coyotes and i have never seen a raccoon where i live. But i do have 2 indoor/outdoor cats.
My ground isn't rocky until about 5 feet down, and then it's only gravelly.
i also don't have a truck.

 

[Machelle the chellbug!]

Hello!
I would check work sites!! where they build houses etc. Sometimes they have a pile that will be going to a local landfill or recycle place. most of the time they will gladly let you take it away!!! I did this a few years ago when helping my mom build some things! Have fun!!