I need to vent

[FlufferChick]

I know your post is a month old, but THANK YOU for sharing! I had searched the site for experiences with the OC Backyard Chicken Permit process- I just submitted my application. Your post was insightful and relatable I hope your coop building process has been straightforward (I would say easy, but are these types of projects ever?) and that you are feeling well! Thanks again for helping a stranger who hopes to join you as chicken tender soon!

 

[BigBird 2025]

I know your post is a month old, but THANK YOU for sharing! I had searched the site for experiences with the OC Backyard Chicken Permit process- I just submitted my application. Your post was insightful and relatable I hope your coop building process has been straightforward (I would say easy, but are these types of projects ever?) and that you are feeling well! Thanks again for helping a stranger who hopes to join you as chicken tender soon!

Hello FlufferChick
Now its my tern to answer your post which is now not quit a month old but close enough.

I haven't been on BYC in some time and I was really beginning to miss talking to all my new friends. So everyone, please forgive my absence and hello to you all, first by wishing everyone a belated Happy Easter and wish you and your loved ones much Peace and Happiness. Lets cluck on.

FlufferChick I am happy to hear I was able to assist you in some small way enabling you to move forward I hope confidently toward becoming a BYC owner. As of yet I have not even started my build.

I know I know "What are ya waiting for?" To be honest as I pointed out in an earlier post I had stuff to get squared away, and I would like to take a moment to thank and recognize my youngest son Patrick for all his heard work with moving the EGG down the field toward the yet to be built coop. ( Do you like my really bad football analogy) ?
Patrick came to visit from North Florida with my grand daughters to help me install my irrigation system into the back yard as well as run a main line to where the coop will ultimately (I think) be built.

Then he assisted me in starting the frame work behind my free standing garage to lay bricks I have had for now going on 30 years as a floor to the area where my new potting bench and plant prep area is going on. We basically boxed in the area I wanted paved using PT 2x4 dug down and laid an old used tarp as some weed protection. Then we sieved the sand we dug as best we could using a chicken cover crop box (another wood rectangle with HW Cloth.) to get rid of the junk and then started laying the brick down

Lastly I had a huge firewood pile that needed to be dealt with so it was removed giving free firewood to friends and neighbors. We don't do fires in the pit like we used to so it was time to give it away to someone who would enjoy it.

I think my son is more eager to build the coop then I am if that's possible as he is always asking me about it and when I want to get started. Its going to be at least another month before it happens as my wife and I are heading to the Land of Lincoln shortly to visit family and attend a wedding and nothing is going to happen before that. Lastly the roofers were here the insurance company has been bugging me to install a new roof as the old one was last installed in 2008 that's now finished. God willing and the creek don't rise I can start collecting material for the build which I will continue my thoughts in another post. by for now.

Stay Clucky

 

[BigBird 2025]

Ok I'm back
So my nest question is this. and I am looking for Suggestions, Advice, Wisdom, Wives tails and assorted Cause I said so's.

I am thinking of down grading the overall size of the run to cut down on building materials. Many people say don't use Chicken Wire CW rather use Hardware Cloth HC. I understand why as it is a stronger material overall,

I plan on using HC all around the base of the coop itself as well as the openings to the coop to guard against predator's at night.
How ever....... I have seen some pens I really like one in particular that is built out of car port framing (basically fence pipe).

Its the one in the YouTube video where they capture an owl in their run that has a infected foot or claw or something. Anyway..... It has tarp at both ends for shade and the center is open for sun. It is entirely enclosed in chicken wire with a door way. and the coop is inside.
Side Bar: maybe I just answered my own question in the fact that the video doesn't say how a fully wrapped chicken wire pen had an owl sitting in it unless it was able to bite or claw through the CW and get in.

Its roomy. It's lightweight easy to work with and won't cost me an arm and a drum stick to build un like the ones in my plan. I will still keep the coop out side to one end but really like the overall design.

So my question I guess is why can't I use or shouldn't use chicken wire for the Pen area only. It would be cheaper to buy then framing out a pen in wood then having to paint it. quicker to put together and install and easier to work with.

If you have experience using CW rather the HWC or have other knowledge I would like to know your thoughts. At some point I need to make a decision and lay my egg and get off the nest and build this thing.

SSStay Cluckey

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Ok I'm back
So my nest question is this. and I am looking for Suggestions, Advice, Wisdom, Wives tails and assorted Cause I said so's.

I am thinking of down grading the overall size of the run to cut down on building materials. Many people say don't use Chicken Wire CW rather use Hardware Cloth HC. I understand why as it is a stronger material overall,

I plan on using HC all around the base of the coop itself as well as the openings to the coop to guard against predator's at night.
How ever....... I have seen some pens I really like one in particular that is built out of car port framing (basically fence pipe).

Its the one in the YouTube video where they capture an owl in their run that has a infected foot or claw or something. Anyway..... It has tarp at both ends for shade and the center is open for sun. It is entirely enclosed in chicken wire with a door way. and the coop is inside.
Side Bar: maybe I just answered my own question in the fact that the video doesn't say how a fully wrapped chicken wire pen had an owl sitting in it unless it was able to bite or claw through the CW and get in.

Its roomy. It's lightweight easy to work with and won't cost me an arm and a drum stick to build un like the ones in my plan. I will still keep the coop out side to one end but really like the overall design.

So my question I guess is why can't I use or shouldn't use chicken wire for the Pen area only. It would be cheaper to buy then framing out a pen in wood then having to paint it. quicker to put together and install and easier to work with.

If you have experience using CW rather the HWC or have other knowledge I would like to know your thoughts. At some point I need to make a decision and lay my egg and get off the nest and build this thing.

SSStay Cluckey

More pests/predators can get through/reach through Chicken Wire than through Hardware Cloth

 

[BigBird 2025]

Hi yes, I have read that. Good point probably why I shouldn't go that route CW. The whole time I was writing my question I was already talking my way back toward HC but still a good talking point to discuss, thanks for your comment.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi yes, I have read that. Good point probably why I shouldn't go that route CW. The whole time I was writing my question I was already talking my way back toward HC but still a good talking point to discuss, thanks for your comment.

It is also noticeably weaker. I'm a small, pretty weak person and I can manipulate CW way easier than HC

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi yes, I have read that. Good point probably why I shouldn't go that route CW. The whole time I was writing my question I was already talking my way back toward HC but still a good talking point to discuss, thanks for your comment.

You will be glad you did. There are way too many stories how just about any animal can either crawl through CW or tear it.

We use that around our garden though. It actually keeps the chickens and rabbits out of it.

 

[BigBird 2025]

Good afternoon Gulf coast Peepers

Cold and hurricanes especially in Central Florida. (Orlando.)

I'm focusing this discussion to the Gulf coast peepers geographical area as they enjoy the same Temps in heat waves and cold temps.

Although I earlier posted a photo of the Third Coast Craftsmen style coop as what I was going to build; I kept looking to reduce costs and also concerned with excessive heat and heat/ventilation problems.
I've come to settle on the hoop coop. Simple in design well ventilated with both ends open wire mesh and easy access over all.

My concern is the occasional cold temps (into the 30's) we get in December and January. As well as Hurricane safety.

Question#1
How best to handle the cold temps that can last for a few days mostly at night. My thinking is just covering both ends with tarps to stop drafts and call it a day, will this keep the girls safe cold wise or do I need to do more.
Question #2
What do owners in hurricane prone states along the gulf coast do to protect their girls during Hurricanes?

My hoop coop is going to be stationary and well anchored The cover tarps will be secured with strips of some kind of plastic/metal/cloth banding to keep it from fluffing and tearing. The coop is protected by near proximity vinyl fencing how ever in the past one hurricane reeked havoc on some of the fence.

I'm so new to all this and want to protect my near future girls and get it right as much as possible the first time. During a hurricane Do I leave them in the hoop coop or take them into the garage which means building and storing another small enclosure. If that's what I need to do so be it.

Your thoughts please, Thank you.

 

[Debbie292d]

Good afternoon Gulf coast Peepers

Cold and hurricanes especially in Central Florida. (Orlando.)

I'm focusing this discussion to the Gulf coast peepers geographical area as they enjoy the same Temps in heat waves and cold temps.

Although I earlier posted a photo of the Third Coast Craftsmen style coop as what I was going to build; I kept looking to reduce costs and also concerned with excessive heat and heat/ventilation problems.
I've come to settle on the hoop coop. Simple in design well ventilated with both ends open wire mesh and easy access over all.

My concern is the occasional cold temps (into the 30's) we get in December and January. As well as Hurricane safety.

Question#1
How best to handle the cold temps that can last for a few days mostly at night. My thinking is just covering both ends with tarps to stop drafts and call it a day, will this keep the girls safe cold wise or do I need to do more.
Question #2
What do owners in hurricane prone states along the gulf coast do to protect their girls during Hurricanes?

My hoop coop is going to be stationary and well anchored The cover tarps will be secured with strips of some kind of plastic/metal/cloth banding to keep it from fluffing and tearing. The coop is protected by near proximity vinyl fencing how ever in the past one hurricane reeked havoc on some of the fence.

I'm so new to all this and want to protect my near future girls and get it right as much as possible the first time. During a hurricane Do I leave them in the hoop coop or take them into the garage which means building and storing another small enclosure. If that's what I need to do so be it.

Your thoughts please, Thank you.

I would definitely make some type of rudimentary pen in your garage. There's no question then that they'd be safe and not be walking in a pond. We don't get hurricanes here, but tornadoes, and those that aren't in the Amish-built sheds would be brought into the garage if we were in the path of one.

 

[Bawkbok]

What do owners in hurricane prone states along the gulf coast do to protect their girls during Hurricanes?

We set up a pen inside the house and brought them in for three days for both hurricanes Helene and Milton. The stress of them being moved inside was less than what it would have been out in constant winds from 60-110 mph for the duration. They don't like high wind and if your coop can act like a sail, take it down for hurricanes.