Modifications on Producer’s Pride Sentinel (so far)

[Bjett003]

I had planned to do the same thing but I want them to be able to dig in the dirt and I don’t want to run the risk of a foot injury. We ended up lining it with pavers and we use tie wire like twist ties around the locks. It’s only been a week or so that they have been out but so far so good!View attachment 3801403

Thanks for replying. Your syrup looks nice. Do you keep the pop door open all the time? How did you secure the locks for the side doors? Thank you!

 

[Bjett003]

I had planned to do the same thing but I want them to be able to dig in the dirt and I don’t want to run the risk of a foot injury. We ended up lining it with pavers and we use tie wire like twist ties around the locks. It’s only been a week or so that they have been out but so far so good!View attachment 3801403

Thanks for posting. I might try the pavers idea, too. What did you do about the pop door on the coop? Did you secure that somehow? Do you mind sharing photos of how you secured the locks on the side doors? I appreciate your help!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had planned to do the same thing but I want them to be able to dig in the dirt and I don’t want to run the risk of a foot injury. We ended up lining it with pavers

Thanks for posting. I might try the pavers idea, too.

Keep in mind that while pavers might stop some diggers from digging at the side of the set up, it would not stop anything that tunnels as they would simply find the obvious outside edge of the paver and tunnel under it (the idea with a wire apron is that the edges get hidden in the landscape so pests and predators don't know where the edge is to get in). There's also no way to attach a paver to the run wall to cover any small gaps from the bottom of run to the ground.

 

[TaylorMuzz]

We technically don’t have a frost date but we might have one freeze and nights in the 40’s for a few weeks each winter.View attachment 3786831
I went with your suggestion and added ventilation along that top portion. I also made a big cut out where the door slides open and covered it all with HWC. I plan on making the entire run predator proof and have considered not even closing the coop up at night. Any reason I shouldn’t be leaving the door open at night if predators aren’t the concern?

I think I’ll probably leave the sides intact for now. If I notice that the ventilation that is there isn’t enough, I’ll add more.

I’ve been reading a lot of other posts on coops and see your name pop up a lot so I appreciate you taking the time to add your thoughts to mine!

Since you hardware clothed the door dp you let them out the side door? I have the same coop I'm setting up so I'm wondering about adding vents too. I am in Georgia.

 

[sflahertylee]

Hi everyone! I’ve been making some modifications to this prefab coop and I was hoping I could get some input! We only have four, 3 week old bantams so far and my plan is to beef this up so we have something ready to go and not stress, but also build a bigger coop and run. It sounds like having an area to be able to quarantine or raise young birds is handy, so I would like this coop to last as long as possible. I live in Central Florida so heat and moisture will be my biggest issue. Here’s what I’ve done so far:


Added shingles left over from my roof replacement. I saw reviews that said the roof failed first, so I’m hoping an extra layer of protection helps with longevity. I also extended the edge over the egg box since that seam seems (lol) have an issue with leaking. I will probably put some sort of flexible plastic there to prevent water from pool and sliding into the egg box when the top is opened.
View attachment 3785006

Added ventilation holes to one side and covered the openings with hardware cloth.

View attachment 3785004

I had planned on adding the same windows on the opposite wall under the run, but then I learned about the importance of preventing drafts above the roosts. It’s not going to get “cold” here until next January and I’m sure I’ll have my new coop by then, so is that something I even need to worry about? I know ventilation is very important but I’m unsure of where the best placement is. I plan on enclosing the bottom so could I just leave the coop door open at all times for more ventilation? I could also remove the side doors and cover with hardware cloth, or make more windows, but I worry about our sideways summer rains (chunky soup anyone?)
View attachment 3785005

The run is enclosed in 1/2” hardware cloth on the sides and I plan on lining the bottom with the same. I was going to put the structure up on a pressure treated wood frame with hardware cloth covering the bottom. I then planned on bolting the coop and run onto that.
View attachment 3785016

I am also in the process of adding silicone caulking around where the wood pieces sit in the metal slots since water would have the chance to penetrate and pool in those areas. I will be painting it too once I’m all done with the mods.

So, anything else? If you’ve made it this far, thank you and if you got my Family Guy reference, double thank you!! my fiancé thinks I’m doing too much but neither of us have done this before and I want even their temporary home to be up to snuff!! TIA

Hi...I'm loving the changes and want to try this with mine. How did you secure the shingles to the existing roof?