Large Open Coop with Covered Run Design & Build with Costs and Pics

[KyCoop]

Your receipts look a lot like mine. So glad I'm not alone.
We "finished" our chicken palace last year. Just yesterday added another receipt. Your always going to find improvements you can make or things that didn't quite work out the way you thought it would, or need to change that ect..
Your not really going to know until your faced with a predator or the weather or whatever.
Make it the way you want it so you dont have to say I wish we would have ____________.

 

[aart]

2”x4” holes. 48” high. Unsure of gauge but it’s thick. Was used for fencing horses and hogs and donkeys for previous owner and for some perimeter. I just figured I’d try to use some of it because I have a lot. This would be buried in dirt around outside edge for digging predators.

Probably the typical 14ga fencing.

Might want something with smaller holes to keep rodents at bay too?

 

[TropicalBabies]

Instead of solid metal sides I would go with hardware cloth on all but one side. You can add roll down water repellent sides or removable sheets of double wall polycarbonate sheets (greenhouse walls) to block the rain. I'm in Colorado, hardly a state where one thinks of brutal summers but I'm expanding and remodeling my coop to add open sides just as soon as lumber prices drop.

Ya know I was thinking the same thing but bitting my fingers. I don't know other peoples areas or predators and know they have thought things out... but I was thinking it is easier to add than subtract.
When I first built my coop it was 99.9% open. It just had to house them safely as they slept because they have the run and free-range. I have good overhang on almost all sides for good rains and sun. We also have almost 0 predators- just dogs and maybe feral cats for chicks. I was thinking of doing removable side panels for our weather events 10+ X's per year. I did slowly added 1x's with 1"gaps to slow the breeze and add shade but still let in air. When the big sideways weather comes I just staple up tarps or cut feed bags if need. The 1x's I can easily take down for the worst of summers. Keeping it open helps to keep the mosquitos from using it as a hangout and I can still use the fan.
I had to find what worked for me- I have a sand floor and deep litter and also do poopboards. Big fan of that. It took some adjustments but, for me and my weather it was better to have just bones and wire, then add as needed.
But that was just me and my area ♡

 

[TropicalBabies]

Your receipts look a lot like mine. So glad I'm not alone.
We "finished" our chicken palace last year. Just yesterday added another receipt. Your always going to find improvements you can make or things that didn't quite work out the way you thought it would, or need to change that ect..
Your not really going to know until your faced with a predator or the weather or whatever.
Make it the way you want it so you dont have to say I wish we would have ____________.

My husband would literally freak if I brought home receipt like that. I am envious... kinda

 

[Missceegee]

My husband would literally freak if I brought home receipt like that. I am envious... kinda

He basically told me to get it right this time because this is it.

 

[3KillerBs]

We thought of using 2x4 wire instead of hardware cloth for our skirt, but we have blacksnakes and weasels.

 

[TropicalBabies]

He basically told me to get it right this time because this is it.

Oh no! Chicken guidelines and ultimatums darn them!
Well, from the looks of things it is absolutely beautiful and something you both can be proud of- walls, no walls, metal... what ever. How long have you been keeping chickens? Maybe it is time to go pull up a chair in their spot and sit and feel the weather, breeze, no breeze. Then follow your instincts with your collected info. I look forward to seeing the progress and finished coop as I know it will be perfect for you all.
My DH was an uphill battle (too?) but has settled a lot. It took his friends and family being interested and excited about chickens and receiving their eggs to take his edge off. That, a few gifts, hugs, bribes, dinners and pride in his occasional input.

 

[Missceegee]

Oh no! Chicken guidelines and ultimatums darn them!
Well, from the looks of things it is absolutely beautiful and something you both can be proud of- walls, no walls, metal... what ever. How long have you been keeping chickens? Maybe it is time to go pull up a chair in their spot and sit and feel the weather, breeze, no breeze. Then follow your instincts with your collected info. I look forward to seeing the progress and finished coop as I know it will be perfect for you all.
My DH was an uphill battle (too?) but has settled a lot. It took his friends and family being interested and excited about chickens and receiving their eggs to take his edge off. That, a few gifts, hugs, bribes, dinners and pride in his occasional input.

Hubby is onboard with the chickens, but I have spent a lot figuring out how I want to house them. Goal is long term ease. Hopefully this new open air coop/run will do that.

I do sit by them and watch for my own amusement. It's Florida meaning crazy weather. Today was 89, but felt like 104. Breezy at times, totally still and stupid humid at others, drizzly, sunny, and a short downpour. That was all today!

 

[Missceegee]

We thought of using 2x4 wire instead of hardware cloth for our skirt, but we have blacksnakes and weasels.

We don't have weasels, I don't think, but we do have lots of snakes. Hmm.

 

[Missceegee]

Day 3 Progress...

Not sure why, but it seemed super slow despite my brother working on it all day. I helped at times.

- large door built and installed
- we decided to frame a storage closet into one end and use extruded metal for floor and shelf (because I had it)
- some misc stuff.