My first try at a coop? ? ? ?

[Crazy Mitch]

Your coop and run look good. . I wondered if mine is too small? They do have space under the coop too. Thanks for posting the pictures.

I used Chicken wire on the run? I might have to double it up or something? I heard that is NOT good to use because weasels can get through and the raccoons can pull it apart. Is that true? And also I do not have wire around the edge to prevent digging of predators! ? ? ? So I will have to re-work some things?

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Your coop and run look good. . I wondered if mine is too small? They do have space under the coop too. Thanks for posting the pictures.

I used Chicken wire on the run? I might have to double it up or something? I heard that is NOT good to use because weasels can get through and the raccoons can pull it apart. Is that true? And also I do not have wire around the edge to prevent digging of predators! ? ? ? So I will have to re-work some things?

I have always used chicken wire and have never had any trouble. As long as you secure it to the frame well, you should be fine. We killed 4 raccoons in one week a couple weeks ago. None of them were able to get in the pens. As for having wire around the edge to prevent predators,

some people need it, some don't.

 

[Crazy Mitch]

Thanks. . . I think it is secure down now. . . but we will see. . . I don't have them in the coop over night yet.

Just a little paranoid don't want to go through all this and loose them to a critter!

Thanks

Crazy Mitch

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Thanks. . . I think it is secure down now. . . but we will see. . . I don't have them in the coop over night yet.

Just a little paranoid don't want to go through all this and loose them to a critter!

Thanks

Crazy Mitch

Your welcome. Just keep in mind that some things take trial and error. Don't let it get you down if you lose a chicken or two before you get things figured out.

 

[Crazy Mitch]

I understand. Thanks

 

[J-Sanders]

I am glad I asked. You seem to have things well in hand and yes your ventilation scheme looks to be satisfactory. While the chicken wire is mostly good enough and doubling up is definitely better and you have it well secured too. I would suggest that you being a techie that you rig up a thermometer in the coop to track temps and that will tell you about supplemental heat needs. Insulation is needed but sealing is mandatory. We insulate down here to help with cooling in the summer. Watch your chickens and they will tell you what needs changing or fixing. Jim

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I thought I'd replied earlier guess it didn't post. Your ventilation looks great, especially in the eaves, well thought out, the windows will help alot for air and sunlight, you may not even have to close them. Word about chicken wire, it is only good for keeping chickens in, it will not keep predators out. Try it and see that you can twist it open with your bare hands-because it is just twisted together, not woven. The other thing is - as long as your coop is secure and closed at night, your chickens will be OK. Nighttime is when they are at the most vulnerable, they are asleep....therefore easy pickings, and one can be taken without even waking the others. Usually dayrime predators are hawks, which can be kept out with chicken wire, neighborhood dogs and coyote. If you can keep those things out of your yard you can use chicken wire for a run.

 

[Crazy Mitch]

Jim,
Some people say no insulation. . and some say yes? And sealing out the coop so nothing can get in. . . or sealing up cracks so there is no drafts? But the vents are wide open at the top? I'm going on not much sleep . . . . and missing the idea here? Sorry.

I will look into adding a second layer of wire. Also I have to detach the run and rework that a little . . but I want to enclose the coop first.

I think I will vert out the sides. . . at the peak (with a gutter piece and an elbow piece pointing down to keep the rain out. . . with screen on it.) and not have a structure going across the entire length of the coop. And drill vent holes on the inside peak between the rafters. We will see. I have to skin it first.

Thanks again to all of you with your suggestions. They are very encouraging.

GB
Crazy Mitch!

 

[jeepguy982001]

I think what others are trying to say is to seal up any cracks where drafts can blow in your coop. The vents at the top are fine being left open long as your roost are below. Chickens tolerate cold better then heat. The best example i can come up with is imagine being wet on a cool day. If the wind blows you get colder but if your behind a solid wall the air circulates above you and you don't get any colder.

 

[Crazy Mitch]

I like that. . . and reading about the poop trays. . . I'm rethinking the insides! It is a blank piece of paper. I understand now

THANKS!
Crazy Mitch