need enclosure inside coop/run??

[flowerchicks]

Help please.... total newbie here, chick mom for less than 2 months. We turned our homemade dog kennel into a chicken coop, or so I thought. But, after spending HOURS on this site (totally addicting, in a good way

) I have discovered that what we have is a RUN, not a coop. Although it backs up against the shed (on the north/east side), they don't have access into it, as it is actually, a storage shed. They have no enclosed shelter, though the "run" is covered. We have put in nesting boxes, though they won't be using them for a while, but they can be moved or changed at any time. And after more research, I realize we need to put a perch on the front. Does it need to have a slanted top?

Do they need to be completely enclosed at night, or do they just need someplace where they can get out of weather and feel safe? Does the nesting box need to be inside that "safe place"? I noticed that they like to huddle in the corner by the door, I assume because they feel safest there, so I plan covering the back half of the left side (where the tree stump is) to give them a safe corner away from my chicken obsessed cattle dog. If I did that, would a more enclosed area on stilts be sufficient, and if so, how big should it be to house 6-10 chickens. They are under a very large live oak and surounded by trees, so the kennel is pretty sheltered from wind and rain, unless it's a strong storm. At this time, they do not leave this enclosure (unless I am holding them), due to bird hungry dogs in the yard.

Thanks in advance...

 

[first time farmer]

Ill put my 2 cense in but i hope some one more knolageable than me comes along but here it goes. Yes they do need a safe place. If i was you i would use the shed it is perfect. Look on the coop pages thats what i did and i found awesome ideas.

 

[Emzyyy]

I couldn't use our whole shed because of storage so I put a wall right down the center and we store stuff on one side and the chickens use the other. Its a very nice run though.

 

[2txmedics]

Well the run part is good, roost at a slant is what mine like...is there a way for you to built a small enclosure on either side away from the door? It doesnt have to be big...I love my coop, made out of old fence...when I have bad storms, I lock my babies up in it...

or maybe even a covered dog kennel in the coop??? for my porc. d'uccle I made this coop...back against the main coop

and if you look closely, you notice I have two dog kennels for there coop...one is wired on the bottom, that was the first one, then I added the covered one ontop of that one...and put a roos in it.

I need to buy cyinder blocks to raise the top kennel for them and remove the bottom one. Then when it storms I cover the sides with a tarp.

Basically as long as you can protect them from the weather, predators, the heat/sun...where's there water? The roost are good.

 

[Davaroo]

There's nothing wrong with what you have there, as long as it is dry on top and bottom.

You can do things differently, that's certain, but Ive seen chickens do just fine with less.

Much depends on where you live - just where is 'Paradise'?

 

[2txmedics]

Davaroo...hello...how are you? My Paradise is in Texas...outside Houston...infact Im not crazy about here...but my property...4 acres is my paradise, I try to make it that...

I think she did an awesome job on her coop...so she doesnt have a coop for them, she can do a mini makeshift inside with a dog house like I did for my porc. d'uccles...I like her run!!!!

Heck mine needs alot of work...

 

[Fay at Frizzled Feathers]

Hello flowerchicks ,

Looks good !
If you feel you may need to keep them warmer in the winter months though a dog box would work out just fine or you could make removable panels for the two open sides , that you could put up in cold weather and then remove when weather warms up some . Then the front side with the door could be left open really .
The removable panels could be made from just sheets of plywood , osb or sheet metal anything you have laying around really .

 

[flowerchicks]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Paradise is in the foothills of n. california, about 90 miles north of sacramento. We are at about 2000 ft elev. we get some snow, not much, but LOTS of rain.

We have an extra large dog kennel, but I am not sure how it would be used as a coop. Don't they have to have someplace to perch? Does anyone have pictures of the inside of a kennel coop? I like the idea of the removable side panels.

What about the nest boxes? If I was to panel the side opposite the door and put a makeshift enclosure in that corner, should I put the nesting boxes under it or build something big enough to include the nesting boxes? Their water is in the bucket next to the door.

Thanks again everyone

 

[ILOVEFRIZZLES]

If you live were it does not get really cold in the weather I will be fine. I am building my new coop like that run and coop all together just make sure that wild animals can not get in electric fence around the bottom will help. Also help keep your dog away. But if it does get cold you will need a hen house.

 

[2txmedics]

well maybe somethingl like this ...go to this web link and look at the picture...you can add come nest boxes, 3 ontop of that with a little walk plank...??? you know making the roof flat?...just an idea

http://images.search.yahoo.com/imag...&sigr=118ormceg&sigi=11l7f726t&sigb=13bu3ncce

click on the top left one...and another window opens up check those out