Why pull them out, the chickens will do it for you.That’s the one I wanted but they won’t deliver it and I have no way to get it (would need to rent a truck and drive to Indiana, lol). I’m planning on removing all but one of the nesting boxes in the one I’ve got and mounting the roosting bars higher and at different angles to maximize space. I might even take the nests out completely and bolt one or two on the outside of the coop area. I’m also waffling on just ordering the one that’s like the next size up (the green walk in) but I’m mostly nervous about the visual footprint of that thing in the yard. I’m literally in the city with neighbors right next door and I want to keep to coop as attractive and low profile as possible. I’m torn between adding a low extension to the run and securing everything so the chickens have basically 24/7 access to the run OR just running a chicken wire fence around the whole coop/run combo and letting them out into that “yard” during the day locking them back into the structure at night. I can’t let them free range in my yard because they would turn it into a mud pit in about an hour, haha.
I’m attaching pictures of the Thompson’s I bought and also the corner of the yard I’m planning to set everything up. There’s a lily bed there now under a giant mulberry tree but that tree basically shades most of the yard so those lilies don’t thrive anymore, so pulling them out is fine. Thank you so much for all the insight!
How long x wide is your current coop in your basement?
One thought on "protecting" everything from the Chicago elements...Home Depot sells 2x8 and 2x12 sheets of corrugated plastic PVC roofing, Palruf is one brand. They're $15 or thereabouts. I bet if you asked nicely they'd cut it in half, though they might not due to it being plastic. If they don't a pair of tin snips or shop shears ($15 or thereabouts from HD) or otherwise a utility knife (which you likely have floating around your place) can cut it.
Take your time, go slow, as the stuff is sort of finicky and can crack, and cut it to be 12 inches longer and wider than the coop. That gives a 6'inch overhang on all four sides.
Attach to the roof to protect from rain/snow. Use screws, but drill pilot holes (those are holes in the pvc/wood where the screws will go) first so you don't crack the pvc roofing.
Other Option: Look for a resin shed for sale. https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...55-c-9658.htm?tid=8429964348590458214&ipos=12. Put nesting boxes and roost bars and cut a door, or even leave on side as a wire front with the door on that. Open the top to collect your eggs.