In-Between Coop for Older Chicks - Budget Ideas?

[Cimmaron]

I hatch small numbers of chicks throughout the spring and summer. Typically I sell the pullets at 2-3 months, but extra roosters stick around until they are big enough for butchering.

The transition pens I used last year worked fine until the raccoons showed up, so I need to figure out something different - I have three ages of chicks living in my tool shed right now!

Does anyone have ideas that are super budget friendly and predator proof? We have a plethora of racoons, foxes and raptors. And our summer nights sometimes get down in the 40's, so they need some type of shelter. Last year I had half their pen covered with a tarp, but they got bored and pulled the whole thing apart!

 

[Parront]

I hatch small numbers of chicks throughout the spring and summer. Typically I sell the pullets at 2-3 months, but extra roosters stick around until they are big enough for butchering.

The transition pens I used last year worked fine until the raccoons showed up, so I need to figure out something different - I have three ages of chicks living in my tool shed right now!

Does anyone have ideas that are super budget friendly and predator proof? We have a plethora of racoons, foxes and raptors. And our summer nights sometimes get down in the 40's, so they need some type of shelter. Last year I had half their pen covered with a tarp, but they got bored and pulled the whole thing apart!

What do you think about using electric fence wire? I have had good results with it to protect everything from flowerbeds from cat poop, to chickens from stray dogs.

 

[Cimmaron]

What do you think about using electric fence wire? I have had good results with it to protect everything from flowerbeds from cat poop, to chickens from stray dogs.

I've thought about using hot wire, but the electricity to my chicken area isn't very reliable, so I couldn't depend on it. I tried a solar charger for my larger animals, but it was expensive and only lasted maybe two years. I guess I just don't do very well with electric fences :/

 

[Parront]

I've thought about using hot wire, but the electricity to my chicken area isn't very reliable, so I couldn't depend on it. I tried a solar charger for my larger animals, but it was expensive and only lasted maybe two years. I guess I just don't do very well with electric fences :/

You might use a 12 volt car battery, that is pretty easy to swap out or charge on a low cost basis. The coons are as smart as a dog, one good zap and learning occurs!

 

[JDN]

How big are you thinking?

 

[aart]

Does anyone have ideas that are super budget friendly and predator proof?

Predator proofing takes good mesh which isn't cheap unless you can find it used,
( or get someone else to pay for it )

How big are you thinking?

Good question^^^
...also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Henriettamom919]

What's your ideal budget? And how many birds are you looking to grow out? Do you have a lumber company nearby? We built our big girl coop (which will be grow out coop next year when our walk in is done) using a lot of found/foraged/recycled pieces that were either free (local cabinet company has a free pile) or discounted from local lumber mill companies.

If it's just a few birds at a time a prefab coop reinforced for predators works well while they're still little.

 

[Cimmaron]

I'm in MT. I'm usually growing out 10-20 birds at a time. My ideal budget is $0, lol But I'm expecting I'll need to spend some money to get set up better. My main coop was set up pretty much for free as someone gave me a big old toolshed I converted to a coop and I was able to scavenge scraps of chicken wire, etc. The fence isn't very secure, but I lock the chickens inside the shed every night to protect from predators.

 

[Parront]

I'm in MT. I'm usually growing out 10-20 birds at a time. My ideal budget is $0, lol But I'm expecting I'll need to spend some money to get set up better. My main coop was set up pretty much for free as someone gave me a big old toolshed I converted to a coop and I was able to scavenge scraps of chicken wire, etc. The fence isn't very secure, but I lock the chickens inside the shed every night to protect from predators.

Used pallets are often free, good source of sturdy wood, if a bit short.

 

[Henriettamom919]

I'm in MT. I'm usually growing out 10-20 birds at a time. My ideal budget is $0, lol But I'm expecting I'll need to spend some money to get set up better. My main coop was set up pretty much for free as someone gave me a big old toolshed I converted to a coop and I was able to scavenge scraps of chicken wire, etc. The fence isn't very secure, but I lock the chickens inside the shed every night to protect from predators.

Maybe just a four sided shed style coop with reclaimed pallets as flooring? plywood for sides? That would end up being pretty cheap as you can usually get pallets for free somewhere!