My Chicken Coop Dream

[iwiw60]

This is the type chicken coop I plan on building. I'm purchasing a lean-to type shed online, and then I'll build the run by myself. For the run I'll use hardware cloth with it anchored into the ground. I'm 70 years old, single retiree, but I'm determined I can do this. My run will be longer though because they will not be allowed to free-range. Where I live there are way too many predators...racoons, fox, cats, hawks, etc. I cannot opt for a real 'small' coop as I need to be able to walk into it. Any thoughts/advice appreciated!

 

[TOP KNOT]

This is very cute!!! I like it! I would either add an autodoor on the house part or put something down around the run to prevent the digging predators from getting in. I got a vsp from foys piegon supplies. LOVE IT!!!! I never have to worry, mine do free range but I always close the run when I get home at night to keep critters out of their food.This door shuts them in at dust (adjustable) so everyone is snug as a bug. The only loses that I have had was from a hawk. I hope your project goes well! How exciting!!

 

[iwiw60]

This is very cute!!! I like it! I would either add an autodoor on the house part or put something down around the run to prevent the digging predators from getting in. I got a vsp from foys piegon supplies. LOVE IT!!!! I never have to worry, mine do free range but I always close the run when I get home at night to keep critters out of their food.This door shuts them in at dust (adjustable) so everyone is snug as a bug. The only loses that I have had was from a hawk. I hope your project goes well! How exciting!!

Should I put hardware cloth on the 'floor' of the run and run it up the sides a bit? I've wondered about this but am thinking it would make for problems when trying to clean it out...just don't know the "right" way to keep predators from digging in.

Also, you said "I got a vsp from foys piegon supplies. LOVE IT!" ... I don't understand what a vsp is....???

 

[JaceAgain]

Most people bury the wire underneath like, a foot or so. That helps to be able to clean it out i'm making a very similar one, just like this one https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/dark-dozens-the-coop, that looks like that one

 

[TOP KNOT]

http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/electronic-doorkeeper A vsp is the name of the auto door

 

[iwiw60]

http://www.foyspigeonsupplies.com/electronic-doorkeeper A vsp is the name of the auto door

OH...now I get it!

Thanks for the info. A little too spendy for me so I'll just have to shut the girls in at night by myself. Although, thinking about it now, it would be nice to have that in the winter months when there's 2-3' of snow outside. Speaking of which, the direction I have to place my coop will have the run facing right into the snow path so I'll be putting up plastic sheeting and wrap it around the end and about 6' of each side, which would leave 4-6' of open run.

I have another question, please. The shed I'm purchasing is not wood construction. It's the ABS plastic stuff they're making sheds out of nowadays. How hard will it be for me to cut my openings for windows, ventilation spots at the top, and the coop door to the run? Is it hard to cut through?

 

[TOP KNOT]

I would dig down some around the outside of the run then place the hardware cloth down the wall then bend 90 degrees about a foot or so, then bury it. So when a bad guy has chicken on his brain he will dig then get nowhere. With it being buried it won't be an eye sore!! Anything you can do to prevent their entry from any crevice. http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ge...or-proof-chicken-run-frustrated-dog-pics.html This is the best that I could find to give you a picture.

 

[TOP KNOT]

Quote:
It may be tricky, I would stick to wood if you can. I used plastic on my run this winter. I covered all but the east side, and it is semi-protected. Worked out well. I have a covered run, with the clear plastic on the walls for the winter, it was nice. The girls had a place to dust/sun bath.

 

[iwiw60]

I would dig down some around the outside of the run then place the hardware cloth down the wall then bend 90 degrees about a foot or so, then bury it. So when a bad guy has chicken on his brain he will dig then get nowhere. With it being buried it won't be an eye sore!! Anything you can do to prevent their entry from any crevice. http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ge...or-proof-chicken-run-frustrated-dog-pics.html This is the best that I could find to give you a picture.

Got it! What's the old saying...a picture's worth a thousand words?? That's exactly how I'll do it. Do you have any thoughts on my second question:

Quote:

Sorry! Just saw your answer on the last post...aaack!!