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ryanandkelseydavies

In the Brooder
May 11, 2023
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While my wife and I were away for a week in Hawaii, my father-in-law bought 15 chicks “for his grandson”. I thought, “what a nice grandpa.”

We already had a small coop but it needed some TLC so I started researching and was quickly introduced to chicken math. I quickly learned that our little coop maxed out at 6 birds and due to the design could not be expanded.

After wearing down my wife with chicken statistics, I finally convinced her that we need to build a new coop and run from scratch and she used the opportunity to come home with 6 more chicks!

We’re in the stages of planning a 10x30 total foot print with the hen house being 10x6 and the run extending underneath it. After finding myself here at BYC several times during my research I decided to join and see if I might be able to contribute something from what we learn through this process.

I’m currently planning on 1/2 19 gauge hardware cloth for all windows and the run, polycarbonate for the windows, deep litter system on plywood that I plan on sealing with mineral oil or some such, tin roof, automatic chicken door…pretty much the YouTube/Carolina coop special.
 
ryanandkelseydavies said:
While my wife and I were away for a week in Hawaii, my father-in-law bought 15 chicks “for his grandson”. I thought, “what a nice grandpa.”

We already had a small coop but it needed some TLC so I started researching and was quickly introduced to chicken math. I quickly learned that our little coop maxed out at 6 birds and due to the design could not be expanded.

After wearing down my wife with chicken statistics, I finally convinced her that we need to build a new coop and run from scratch and she used the opportunity to come home with 6 more chicks!

We’re in the stages of planning a 10x30 total foot print with the hen house being 10x6 and the run extending underneath it. After finding myself here at BYC several times during my research I decided to join and see if I might be able to contribute something from what we learn through this process.

I’m currently planning on 1/2 19 gauge hardware cloth for all windows and the run, polycarbonate for the windows, deep litter system on plywood that I plan on sealing with mineral oil or some such, tin roof, automatic chicken door…pretty much the YouTube/Carolina coop special.
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC!! :)
 
ryanandkelseydavies said:
While my wife and I were away for a week in Hawaii, my father-in-law bought 15 chicks “for his grandson”. I thought, “what a nice grandpa.”

We already had a small coop but it needed some TLC so I started researching and was quickly introduced to chicken math. I quickly learned that our little coop maxed out at 6 birds and due to the design could not be expanded.

After wearing down my wife with chicken statistics, I finally convinced her that we need to build a new coop and run from scratch and she used the opportunity to come home with 6 more chicks!

We’re in the stages of planning a 10x30 total foot print with the hen house being 10x6 and the run extending underneath it. After finding myself here at BYC several times during my research I decided to join and see if I might be able to contribute something from what we learn through this process.

I’m currently planning on 1/2 19 gauge hardware cloth for all windows and the run, polycarbonate for the windows, deep litter system on plywood that I plan on sealing with mineral oil or some such, tin roof, automatic chicken door…pretty much the YouTube/Carolina coop special.
Click to expand...
welcome!! Your story reminds me of mine back in the day when my father brought home a dozen turkey poults for his grand children and I had to scramble around and throw together a coop and a pen etc. etc. yeah I know how it goes LOLOL
 
Last edited:
Hello Ryan & Kelsey, and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
Jenbirdee said:
I think the 1/4 hardware cloth holes are smaller and safer? Not sure but that’s
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It's smaller but it's not safer. It's so flimsy that a dog can run right through it. I would stick to the 1/2" hardware cloth.
 
DobieLover said:
Hello Ryan & Kelsey, and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.

It's smaller but it's not safer. It's so flimsy that a dog can run right through it. I would stick to the 1/2" hardware cloth.
Click to expand...
Its funny I dont know what kind I have but its very strong, it must be 1/2 i should go measure it. I still use 2 layers of it anyway, one on outside and one on inside. I can just get my pinky finger into the holes thats how big they are. I thought they were 1/4 but they prolly 1/2 yeah I think you caught my 1st post as I was deleting it
 

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