My Hoop Coop

[Tre3hugger]

Good question. No, I am currently weighing the skirt against my risk tolerance and the very hard rocky soil the coop sits on (not pictured, but the coop is surrounded by the run fence [two entry points]). I will likely use the remaining HWC to skirt the known weak spots (if not enough for all).
For now, I am happy that they have a nice, airy space.

fair enough. nice build

 

[mrtoren]

Not sure what your budget is, but tarps are not really a long term solution (especially in hurricane territory). Unless the tarps are taught, they will catch wind, rub, and eventually shred. A bad storm could rip them right off and leave your chickens unsheltered. I'd recommend tightening every loose area (zip ties, bungee cords, whatever it takes) to get the most life out of them before devising a longer term plan. The coop, in particular, should be hard sided so that they have somewhere safe and secure to go if the tarps fail.

Only other concern is the security of the run. Florida is full of predators and it looks like you are in a wooded area which will attract them. I can already see gaps on the lower edge which will make it easy for something to dig or squeeze under. At a minimum, consider an above ground hardware cloth skirt or surround the perimeter with cinder blocks. Did you run hardware cloth over the hog panels on the sides too? Raccoons and other predators are known to lure chickens to large gaps and then rip their heads off through even the most secure fences.

Make sure you paint that plywood too. Plywood will usually withstand some moisture exposure, but it may swell or delaminate if you leave it exposed long term.

 

[Brooks_]

Not sure what your budget is, but tarps are not really a long term solution (especially in hurricane territory). Unless the tarps are taught, they will catch wind, rub, and eventually shred. A bad storm could rip them right off and leave your chickens unsheltered. I'd recommend tightening every loose area (zip ties, bungee cords, whatever it takes) to get the most life out of them before devising a longer term plan. The coop, in particular, should be hard sided so that they have somewhere safe and secure to go if the tarps fail.

Only other concern is the security of the run. Florida is full of predators and it looks like you are in a wooded area which will attract them. I can already see gaps on the lower edge which will make it easy for something to dig or squeeze under. At a minimum, consider an above ground hardware cloth skirt or surround the perimeter with cinder blocks. Did you run hardware cloth over the hog panels on the sides too? Raccoons and other predators are known to lure chickens to large gaps and then rip their heads off through even the most secure fences.

Make sure you paint that plywood too. Plywood will usually withstand some moisture exposure, but it may swell or delaminate if you leave it exposed long term.

The cloth runs over the top and the skirt was addressed in a previous post, but yeah, the gap is of concern. I'll start there and see how far the left over gets me. I have some extra pavers that I could use as well. If the coons can dig in that soil all the way under the paver and into the coop, they earned that meal. I won't bother painting...I'll see how long it lasts. The tarp is nailed on. In the event of a big storm, I'll probably let them out to free range and seek shelter in the azaleas and viburnums.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Just didn't/don't know if 6 mph would be enough to bother them. In any case, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Just leave plenty of overhead ventilation.

 

[Brooks_]

Nice adaptation of the existing structure.

Is that back section of tarp adjustable to varying weather conditions? If yes, I applaud it.

I hadn't thought that far. Plywood on the (right) roosting side. The tarp does overhang and wrap a tad. My thought was over hang tarp for rain and plywood for wind. Runs NE/SW with woods to the back (NE) structure and bushes, but more open (SW)

 

[3KillerBs]

The forecast tomorrow night is 24 F with a 6 mph NW wind. Should I cover most of the north side?

They need shelter on the windward side so if the wind will come in there then yes, give them a windblock to keep the air still around the roosts.

 

[Brooks_]

They need shelter on the windward side so if the wind will come in there then yes, give them a windblock to keep the air still around the roosts.

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Just didn't/don't know if 6 mph would be enough to bother them. In any case, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Brooks_]

The forecast tomorrow night is 24 F with a 6 mph NW wind. Should I cover most of the north side?