Mini coop and run for our chicks.

[Chas0218]

So i built this for our little ladies as a brooder then when they start to get a little older and need to mingle with the old girls they can do so in their run. The footprint is 34" wide x 48" long x 25" tall. Should work nicely for the little ones.

 

[blackdog043]

How many chicks are you getting?
What will you be using for the heat source?
How big is the chicken wire openings?
Is your run predator proof, since your gonna put this in there?

If you want to integrate your chicks from the brooder, make a panel with chick size holes so they can get in and out, but the big girls can't get in. The end where the water is would be a good place. You could make a few openings. Here's an article I made on my brooder set up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

 

[chickitychickity]

Looks good! I have a similar set up. Once they are 3 weeks old they come out in their little run every morning until they are big enough to move to the big coop. I’ve always liked mini coops because there is no pressure to hurry up and get them out of the house/garage.

 

[Chas0218]

How many chicks are you getting?
What will you be using for the heat source?
How big is the chicken wire openings?
Is your run predator proof, since your gonna put this in there?

If you want to integrate your chicks from the brooder, make a panel with chick size holes so they can get in and out, but the big girls can't get in. The end where the water is would be a good place. You could make a few openings. Here's an article I made on my brooder set up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-coop-brooder-and-integration.74591/

Heat source is a heating pad under the boxed in area with insulation in the box walls and on the bottom of the heating pad.

We have (6) 8 week old chicks in it right now. The bottom 8" has 1/2" hardware cloth from the 2x6 up. This is just to enclose them on our patio. The plan was to add 2 smaller holes on the end under the box when the time comes to introduce. This right now is just to let them get acquainted and get used to being in the same area. The tote we were using got a little small and the chicks started roosting on the edges. I wanted to make something that I could have to brood chicks in (boxed end) but allow to be used later once they got a little bigger.

Looks good! I have a similar set up. Once they are 3 weeks old they come out in their little run every morning until they are big enough to move to the big coop. I’ve always liked mini coops because there is no pressure to hurry up and get them out of the house/garage.

Exactly! I wanted to make something that has a longer use, we didn't have a lot of money budgeted for the chicks so something that can be adapted easily to grow with the chicks is a must. Not to mention I don't need to have 5 different things laying around my garage for brooding chicks that I will only do once a year at most.

 

[Chas0218]

I'll also add it has a plywood floor so I can use it indoors when the chicks are smaller and need that constant heat still. They are loving it right now next to the wood stove. Looking forward to some warmer temps in a couple weeks so we can start to transition them into the coop with the big girls.

 

[aart]

The footprint is 34" wide x 48" long x 25" tall.

We have (6) 8 week old chicks in it right now.

Must be rather crowded.

 

[Chas0218]

Must be rather crowded.

Really not bad, they rarely venture to the other side of the mini run without one another also i just figured out i screwed up their age. They are 5 weeks old.

 

[jreardon1918]

Something like your mini coop is what I plan to use in my run when I decide to start replacing. Had not considered a mini coop and run. Nice. We will add chick size doors to allow the chicks to mingle at some point. 4ish weeks.

I think you would do well to wean the chicks off the wood stove and get them out to the larger girls sooner rather than later.

Good luck.

 

[aart]

Really not bad, they rarely venture to the other side of the mini run without one another also i just figured out i screwed up their age. They are 5 weeks old. View attachment 1725421

Looks pretty good.
Is this mini coop/run in the big coop or run?

We will add chick size doors to allow the chicks to mingle at some point.

Was thinking that's about all this mini-coop lacks.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

It looks nice, but I would be concerned about putting this on your patio with chicken wire on it. The chicken wire will only contain your chickens, it will not keep predators out. I apologize if I missed something.