Hoping to turn a huge unused dog pen into chicken coop, maybe??

[Angierob]

So a chicken run is an open space for them to run and be some what free and a coop is a house for them to be in out of the elements--right? well does the house also hold the hay for them to lay eggs in ?? or do they need seperate housing for laying eggs..? does the rooster go in the house? or does he just stay in the tree alot of the time? yes I guess I will have both in the pen lots of run room and an enclosed house for them--I will put tin over it so no predators can climb fence and yes it has stuff so nothing can dig in... laughing at myself...lol

 

[foreverlearning]

All the chickens including the rooster go in the coop at night for protection. You can either put the nesting box in the coop or outside of it. Most people prefer it inside the coop for ease. I have both for my chickens because they free range a large area (4 acres). They like the nesting area to be dark. Don't worry, we all started out with the same questions! When I started I had to ask if you need a rooster to have eggs. I know now that you don't but I didn't know then.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

This is my coop and run. The coop has the roosting bars for sleeping, it holds their feed and water, and nesting boxes. I put a bag of pine chips and straw on the floor and just straw in the nesting box. They spend most of their day in the chicken run (2nd pic) which also has water, dust bath, "jungle gym", and treat bowl.












This is their "jungle gym" When my brother is here for spring break he's going to make them a swing




Have added another (higher) roost bar since this old picture

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

And I agree with Foreverlearning, don't get overwhelmed and ALWAYS feel free to ask anything. As I already mentioned I'm a visual person so I wanted to upload my picture for you to see what my set up is. There are a million and one ways of setting up an area for your flock. I chose to not make my run very predator proof, reason #1: we don't get much predator action here, and reason #2: I didn't have the money to spend on it. I was worried that I'd spend a lot of money on the run and then something would come along and tear it to shreds.

I feel comfortable saying that my flock is very safe at night and day time predators just aren't a problem for us.

 

[LindaB220]

So as you can see--this is a big pen that hasn't been used in years. I have so many questions. first I know I have to cover it with tin...I have some--Not sure if it's' enough. Would the old dog house make a good nesting place for hens if it is cleaned out--It has cedar chips in it now.



I am thinking I need to rake--right? I mean there are lots of leaves in here. Should I be concerned about disease? I mean this pen has not been used in over 4 years. the mesh wire is tight enough to keep predators out--except maybe snakes. All input is appreciated because I have NO idea what I am doing but I will learn as I go and read as I go. My hope is to get 3 hens and 1 rooster..perhaps about 3-4 months old. Is that too old to teach anything? Must they stay in the pen all the time?? again--never ever done this but am soooo excited.. thanks ya'll Angie

Angie, it's good to have you. I'm still waiting for my chickens. My set up is just like yours. Big kennels. I'm going to put tin across the top slanted a bit and I think tin around the bottom 2 ft of the kennel to keep out the critters. Then just wrap the rest in cheap 1" chicken wire. For the outside on the ground put fencing or fridge shelves or whatever is heavy about 2 ft out. Total fort knox. The inside is what You want to do. I have a dog house for now but later will just make it a coop with nest boxes and roosts. Staying in all the time you need 4 sq ft per bird, so you have plenty of room to expand your flock if you choose. Keep doing things to keep them amused. A hand mirror at chest height. I bought 2 poles to hold hanging plants. Instead I'm putting them 2 or so feet apart and hanging chain on them. Attach a log to the chains. Instant swing for your babies. I live in the south so no snow but in winter I will wrap clear plastic around for insulation leaving plenty of space fro ventilation. My friend in S. Carolina does this also and gets a lot of snow. Her babies still stay warm without an inner house. She puts up bales of hay around inside her coop for extra warmth. There are a lot of things available to do and your starting at a good time of the year. Welcome and stay in touch. Also check out the idea of fermenting feeds for your babies. Soooo much healthier and cheaper in feed bills. At the top search for fermenting feed threads. I'm on several. The ones that Beekissed started are the best. She's the best mentor. IMO.

 

[FVRM]

The rooster has the same requirements as a hen except they don't lay eggs. You have a really nice run already built, I think you just need a coop. I can't see the size of the dog house but it might work for 3-4 hens. It just needs some roosts. Chickens prefer tree limbs for roosts, they feel more natural.

They don't need separate coop and laying boxes. Since you will only get 3 hens you only need one box for them to lay eggs in. Basically a square plastic/wood box with some pine shavings in it. The barrels would not make a good coop.

 

[Angierob]

you guys are great!! i love all this feed back and I am learning a lot. I love seeing your pictures--it is starting to make sense to me now....there are so many ways I could do it but I will try to use things I already have--Did I mention my husband is Fred G SAnford---if it's metal I probably have it--if it's wood my Dad has it or will find it...LOL

 

[Angierob]

I love it!! thanks for the pics they help me get an idea of what i really need to do..

 

[Angierob]

So today I went searching around the yard and barn after looking at all the different photos on this site. I found plenty of old treated wood, tin and chicken wire...I was so happy. I called Daddy and laid out the plan for him.. Today we prepped the dog box into the box I wanted at the end of the hens to lay..It pretty big so I will be able to separate it and make two. we framed out the roost. Tomorrow we will go get our boards and some tie wraps. We should be able to get the sides on and the tin on top tomorrow. Dad thinks we have enough wire to cover all the pin. My big concerns are hawks and mice. So far I have not spent a dime. I still don't know if I want to get some very small chicks or some older. I made the mistake of stopping at Tractor supply and there were so many chicks I want to take home. I actually have the exact same container they had the chicks in..mine is heavy plastic. I have heat lamps--just not a red bulb. My husband came home and just shook his head....i told him he better be glad I don't have a container of chicks in the house..LOL And by the way--did I mention my Daddy is awesome

 

[LindaB220]

So today I went searching around the yard and barn after looking at all the different photos on this site. I found plenty of old treated wood, tin and chicken wire...I was so happy. I called Daddy and laid out the plan for him.. Today we prepped the dog box into the box I wanted at the end of the hens to lay..It pretty big so I will be able to separate it and make two. we framed out the roost. Tomorrow we will go get our boards and some tie wraps. We should be able to get the sides on and the tin on top tomorrow. Dad thinks we have enough wire to cover all the pin. My big concerns are hawks and mice. So far I have not spent a dime. I still don't know if I want to get some very small chicks or some older. I made the mistake of stopping at Tractor supply and there were so many chicks I want to take home. I actually have the exact same container they had the chicks in..mine is heavy plastic. I have heat lamps--just not a red bulb. My husband came home and just shook his head....i told him he better be glad I don't have a container of chicks in the house..LOL And by the way--did I mention my Daddy is awesome

Fabulous!!!! Way ahead of me. I don't have a dad or husband with a lot of stuff laying round. ha. I have to buy all my stuff. BUT a nice old lady did give me a 7x12 kennel to get started on. Catch that? Get started on. Chicken math at it's best. I have 2 batches of 25 come Mar 27 and May something.