Mid construction coop

[Northernchickens]

Hi!
I am (hopefully) nearing the end of the construction portion of my coop and run. Just really want to get it right the first time so I am posting photos and if you notice any oversights please let me know! I really want to protect my little flock!! The coop will have a dividing wall placed to make 1 main coop plus a back up. I will also eventullay divide the run aswell. The main coop will be 64 square feet the back up is 28 square feet, the run is a total of 328 square feet with 126 of that being covered by a metal roof which will be important when the snow comes. I have dug a trench (1' deep x 2' wide) in which I will lay 1/2" HW the above ground fencing is 1" HW which I chose for strength. Up here major predators are raccoons, foxes, coyotes, wolves and aerial. The bears don't bother with the chickens as long as I keep the feed secured. I plan on also covering the exposed portion of the run with HW. My entire coop has HW built in the walls also insulated with vapor barrier. I am now thinking it's time for the final touches. I saw aart's coop and I want to copy the vinyl flooring I also think I need more high ventilation (any thoughts on that considering there are no eaves?). Thank you in advance!

 

[cavemanrich]

I'm on a desktop computer, so NOT ABLE to view your pictures without getting a crick in my neck. For ventilation, place it high up in the ends. (again,,,, I was not able to view your pictures that well.) Cover your vent openings with metal, or plastic louvers to keep out rain/snow.
Something similar to this.

Install some windows for natural daylight, and operable for additional warm weather cross ventilation.
Vinyl floor covering is fine. You still need to place/spread some wood shavings to capture the chicken gumdrops that fall to floor. The vinyl make cleaning somewhat easier. A painted floor works almost as well.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Northernchickens]

I'm on a desktop computer, so NOT ABLE to view your pictures without getting a crick in my neck. For ventilation, place it high up in the ends. (again,,,, I was not able to view your pictures that well.) Cover your vent openings with metal, or plastic louvers to keep out rain/snow.
Something similar to this.

Install some windows for natural daylight, and operable for additional warm weather cross ventilation.
Vinyl floor covering is fine. You still need to place/spread some wood shavings to capture the chicken gumdrops that fall to floor. The vinyl make cleaning somewhat easier. A painted floor works almost as well.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you for your insight! I will install high ventilation and look for louvres.

 

[aart]

Pics are very hard to assess.
Looks like 'coop' is totally solid sided?
Might be an issue for ventilation.
I would have(did) left mesh walls on interior to barn.

 

[Northernchickens]

Pics are very hard to assess.
Looks like 'coop' is totally solid sided?
Might be an issue for ventilation.
I would have(did) left mesh walls on interior to barn.

Yes, i really like how you did that too! Unfortunately my old barn is not nearly in as good of shape as your shed so I basically built a shed inside the old barn. The barn is basically just providing a roof and shelter from heavy winds.

 

[aart]

The barn is basically just providing a roof and shelter from heavy winds.

That's all mine does too.

 

[Northernchickens]

Yes, i really like how you did that too! Unfortunately my old barn is not nearly in as good of shape as your shed so I basically built a shed inside the old barn. The barn is basically just providing a roof and shelter from heavy winds.

My barn is basically open to the elements wild animals shelter in it over the winter. Also with the -45C days i need to close it up and have it insulated.

 

[Northernchickens]

I should also add the HW alone will not keep the bears out at least with walls they will hopefully move on to a more attainable food source.

 

[aart]

My barn is basically open to the elements wild animals shelter in it over the winter.

Oh, well, my place does have a door.

 

[Northernchickens]

Oh, well, my place does have a door.

I'm hoping I can add enough ventilation still with the high louvres. I am also going to make a screened dutch door for mild weather and when i'm home.