Hi from the Texas Hill Country! 8x30 Carolina Coop almost finished

[sourland]

Hello, and a belated welcome to BYC.

 

[John Canfield]

Got the pullets moved to the coop house! The blue americaunas (sp) went crazy unlike the others. Need to do a few odds and ends to finish the run.

 

[John Canfield]

Finally completed running power to the coop a while ago, it will power various features like a heater for the 50 gallon water tank, the circulation pump for the water drinker, network equipment and lights for nighttime inspection.

I'm going to have a cam in the roost area, one in the run looking at the door to the roost house and one or two looking outside so I can keep an eye on potential predators.

Yesterday I heard very disturbing news about a feral hog sighting just a quarter mile north of us - they are very smart omnivores and reproduce at such an exponential rate that it's been impossible to break even with control.

 

[DobieLover]

Yesterday I heard very disturbing news about a feral hog sighting just a quarter mile north of us - they are very smart omnivores and reproduce at such an exponential rate that it's been impossible to break even with control.

You might want to consider running a few hot wires around your set-up seeing as you've brought power out there. Run a nice punchy charger on the wires and that should deter the hogs.

 

[John Canfield]

I was just thinking the very same. A charging boar or sow would run right through my Carolina Coops wire mesh. Hogs dig under fences but that's a huge challenge here due to rock.

Plumbing for faucets on each side of the coop is now roughed-in - I have stub outs for my buddy to use PEX for the short run up the side for faucets. PEX expands enough to where it won't burst in freezing weather.

This afternoon I'm going to install the predator apron.

 

[swampfox440]

I was just thinking the very same. A charging boar or sow would run right through my Carolina Coops wire mesh. Hogs dig under fences but that's a huge challenge here due to rock.

Plumbing for faucets on each side of the coop is now roughed-in - I have stub outs for my buddy to use PEX for the short run up the side for faucets. PEX expands enough to where it won't burst in freezing weather.

This afternoon I'm going to install the predator apron.

I use this PEX pipe on everything it's works great! Good luck.

 

[CrazyChicken360]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home here!

 

[theoldchick]

 

[John Canfield]

Got the two long (30 feet) sides of the predator apron stapled in to the 6x6 beams with 1.5" stainless steel crown staples. Need to complete it tomorrow by installing the end aprons. Then the drinking system (50 gallon barrel and drinking bar.)

I'm overlapping the apron ends by two feet so the corners are protected.

I have a fence guy lined up to run 250 to maybe 300 feet of fencing for the chickens to free-range (sort of) so I was discussing options with him. I'm thinking about 8 feet high with a bent over mini fence at the top (whatever it's called) to prevent climbing critters from gaining access to their play area.