My fisrst coop!!!

[k625]

Here are some pictures of my coop!!

Let me know opinion...suggestions..comments..anything please.

After talking with some people last night I came to the conclusion I need a box or something for them to go into..well I looked at dog houses and the cheapest I could find was like $50, so I found this in the garage. I was going to pull the top drawer out, and put a latch on the door. Do you think this will work for 4 silkies?

 

[Sunflower]

That is a really nice coop. Looks nice and tall and they'll get plenty of fresh air.

What is the flooring? I can't tell from the picture.
The little wooden desk thing would probably work - my chickens would probably be on top of it most of the time. LOL. It's hard to tell how big it is. Would you close them in at night? They'll need some ventilation if so.

 

[k625]

No, I woulnt close them up in that. I dont think it would be big enough for them. The bottom of the coop is 1/2" by 1/2" wire with sand on top of it. Do you really think I need something to close them up in. The breeder who I got them from hers are all in the open, and so is my firends, but granted she has like 40 chickens. What do you think I should do?

 

[devora]

Well, I think maybe you should build the rest of the coop.

A friend of mine who lives in the suburbs had no chicken house and kept losing bird after bird to possums. I know I'm a bit overly cautious, but I don't think chicken wire is enough. What you have looks fantastic, tho. I'm just not sure it's enough.

 

[Davaroo]

Since we cant tell whats on the OUTSIDE of the fence, it is hard to say whether that is stout enough. If you are in town, it should do until the neighbors dog gets in.

Otherwise consider reinforcing the bottom and half way up the sides with 1/2" cloth and add flashing around the bottom 2 feet.

Sand in the bottom is nice and you can just keep adding to it. Rake a liittle lime in once a week when they get older. You can also add mulch later on and about every six months muck it out.. Plan to move the whole thing every year.

What are your plans for the winter?

 

[Southern28Chick]

Maybe a rabbit hutch type of thing for them to sleep in at night would work for just 4 chickens. You really do need some sort of housing, or predators can easily get them through that chicken wire.

Spending a bit of $ to insure the safety of your birds is worth it. Not of ton of $ of course but they do need something to stay in at night when all the chicken eaters are out. Even during the day the chicken wire can't keep dogs out.

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

OK I'm not a great chicken person yet but I know a little about construction.
Nice looking chicken run, that being said just how TALL are your chickens

?

Seriously you need a diagonal support from the upper hinge side of your door to the lower handle side to keep it from sagging. a board nailed will work or a cable or wire tightened with a turnbuckle
so you can adjust it from time to time.

Already talked about the hardware cloth on the first couple of feet on the thread last night. but it looks good and i wish you good luck with the chickens

 

[yearofthedog]

Nice coop! Where did you get that ADORABLE chicken wall hang????

 

[k625]

Hey you guys..thanks so much for the comments I really appreciate it. I am using the wood thing for the box at night, and sort of making it look like the rabbit hutch idea. I hope they will enjoy. I think im going to put my babies out for the first time over night on friday night!!

Thanks so much again!!

P.S. I got the chicken wall thing at dollar general, in the clearence section!