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

[Missceegee]

This snake was on the tree near the coop. Glad I put hardware cloth on the ground as many of you suggested. He might not try to cause chaos in the coop but others would.

 

[3KillerBs]

This snake was on the tree near the coop. Glad I put hardware cloth on the ground as many of you suggested. He might not try to cause chaos in the coop but others would.

That's a beautiful snake!

I welcome non-venomous snakes on pest patrol.

 

[Missceegee]

That's a beautiful snake!

I welcome non-venomous snakes on pest patrol.

I agree so long as any buddies interested in eggs or chickens stay out! I like the non-venomous ones.

 

[Missceegee]

- 8 week olds moved in with the big girls last evening. I trimmed their wings so hopefully they wouldn’t fly over their puppy pen partition (they didn’t). They have their own food and water for now and I hung a tarp around the back corner for some sense of security. This afternoon I realized they have full sun and it is too hot so I temporarily hung a shade sail thing outside.

- big girls have outside access - We put them out yesterday and they enjoyed it for about an hour til dusk. Today I opened the door around noon and they’ve stayed in. Probably because the outdoor area is not as shady then. However I want them to lay in the nest boxes and they’re doing better. I would redirect the electric fence to behind the coop where it is always shady, but there a tree in bad shape we need to cut down first.

- My new feed silo arrived from Coopworx. I loved the ports in the bucket feeders but they hold 20 lbs each and need to be on blocks or something and I have to store partial bags of feed. This thing has telescoping adjustable legs for bantam, standard, or brahmas and it holds 80 pounds of feed! There are 8 feed ports made of a softer more flexible material. It came with port covers too should I decide to put it outside. I don’t need to, but you could lock the thing, too. It came today and I already love it!

-Last thing is to order hose pressure reducer and materials to make the auto waterer.

 

[Missceegee]

Tarping up and adding a couple heat lamps as we’re supposed to get to 20s tonight with wicked wind.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Tarping up and adding a couple heat lamps as we’re supposed to get to 20s tonight with wicked wind.

Until the power goes out and my chickens get shell shocked! Just kidding but really tho. My power did just go out so if i had heat lamps, that would be a disaster in itself! Good luck New England!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I didn't dare keep records on the costs

Oh my dog, me either. 5 years in my eggs are still expensive.

 

[Missceegee]

It’s Florida. We get cold easily here. Whole house generator will run the big coop lamps too if need be. Though that’s not a worry til hurricane season.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It’s Florida. We get cold easily here. Whole house generator will run the big coop lamps too if need be. Though that’s not a worry til hurricane season.

You might feel cold. The chickens really won't, as they come with their own puffer coats. All they need is some draft free place to be able to huddle up to keep themselves warm.

 

[Missceegee]

That’s the difficulty. My coop is completely open air and the wind gusts were having are huge. Hence the tarps for drafts and heat lamps. I’ve an old time farmer friend who is local and I tend to follow his lead for such.