How to convert this coop?

[melonhead]

So i bought this little coop to keep my chicks in, until they're ready to integrate with the hens.



It's small (45x56) and pretty lightweight (24 lbs), so i worry about predators. I want to modify it a bit to make it safe enough to keep the babies outside. (they've been living inside in a big dog crate, but they seem SO much happier when they're outside with sunshine and grass to eat! So, what would you suggest to make this safe to leave out all night? So far i've covered the wire run with hardware cloth. I plan on covering the bottom of the run with chicken wire, so the holes are still large enough for them to reach the grass. and I'm going to try to replace the latch with a new latch.

should i stake it down also? and should I remove the wood base in the nesting area and replace it with hardware cloth? (the wooden base isn't attached, just sets in the bottom on two rails)

there's no door between the coop and the run, just an archway.

Any other ideas? or does this whole thing look like an accident waiting to happen?

 

[Jakoda]

I am a newbie, but my suggestion would be , can you put that 'coop' inside your 'hen' area at nite until you integrate them? Or I would put the whole coop inside my chicken run at night, just for better safety

 

[melonhead]

i had originally intended to put it inside the run, but it doeesn't fit well. or at least not well enough that the other hens wouldn't be cramped.

of course, my other option would be just keeping them in a plastic dog crate in the run, but then they don't get the real benefits of being outside, like the grass and bugs.