New Build Questions

[colonel sander]

Ok am just getting into this and building my first coop. Going to build 5 ' maybe 6' wide and 10' long run with a 4' by 5' or 6' coop. Probably going to be a raised coop in the run. Ok so my questions are as follows.

1 Will 1"x1" welded wire work for the run? I am not really worried about raccons during the day as we have dogs in the yard. At night they will be in the coop and will use 1/2" x1/2" wire for the windows and vents. I see people use bigger but figured I would ask as I am a newbie

2 Is there any direction I should point the coop or not point it? Just wondering how weatehr affects the chickens if it does?


Thanks for any input or advice you can give me. Now if I could just find all the pieces to the puzzle I would be happy. Trying to find reclaimed things around here is a PITA! People think it is gold or something

 

[NattiFan]

I hope you find the asnwers you are looking for. I have the hardware cloth over everything...run and windows. I think it all depends on what you have around your place as far as predators. My father in law uses only a 10 x 10 dog pen and it works just fine for him. As far as facing the coop...I faced mine towards the west so I could get maximum direct sunlight into the front of the coop. Just ideas from me...good luck

 

[33yardbirds]

I have the solid back of the coop to the North since the winter storms come from that direction with windows on the front and and facing South to give some solar warmth in the winter. Different parts of the country have different prevailing winds so you may want to think about it in that light. As far as wire I used regular chicken wire sides and top in the run. I did bury it about a foot below grade and they are locked up tight at night.

 

[Judy]

It's usually a good idea to have the pop door on the downwind side.

If you live in a really warm climate, Florida or Texas or Arizona for example, you should really think about a different design, as heat will be a real problem for them and cold will not be at all. Do a search for "hot weather coops" here.

 

[colonel sander]

Thanks for the replys so far. I forgot to mention I am in the Pacific Northwest. I guess until I have a certian number of posts I can not put that in my profile.

Well I scouted out the backyard and where I really want to put it would be perfect it would face the southwest and could put the door on either side. I live on a hill so not really any wind. Only problem my kids would kill me as there trampoline goes there. Second choice would be either the north or south side of the yard. My yard basicaly faces east from my backdoor. Still trying to make this work in a urban environment and make it work in the landscape.

Thanks again!

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Hey there, Col Sander and welcome!

I can't remember where I saw it, but someone used a trampoline as a covered run! Ran wire all around the bottom. Don't know what the chicks would think about their sky 'moving' up and down...

I'm in the PACNORWEST also. Be sure to go to the topic "Where am I? Where are you?" and check it out. You'd be amazed how many folks are near you!

ANYWAY! I do have a lot of wind North and South, so I plan to put my longer sides East and West so I can take advantage of ventilation without blowing the ladies around. There's some good info in here about how important ventilation is, but you don't want the gals in direct drafts all the time... Look under 'patandchickens' and check out the recommendations there...

And if you haven't seen the BYC coop pages yet, you HAVE to check them out! The creativity is awesome. (Top center of this page under 'coop design')

Absolutely take advantage of the sun. Don't know where you are, but our winters have been really strange in the Okanogan lately, so I hope to make as much use of solar heating as possible with windows to the South and East.

I've only seen one 'coon in almost 4 years, I think also because of my dogs, but I have coyote and stray dogs nearby and often! I plan to use 1" hardware cloth everywhere I can afford it on the run and maybe cover that with chicken wire just to add a little baffle. I already have the 1/2" for the coop vents, etc.

Good Luck!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
As long as it is good quality 1x1 wire (not too thin or welds too cr*ppy), yup, that is a good material IMHO, I have some of it myself. And it is good 'n' dogproof, since remember a lot of people's chickens get killed by their own dogs, even when they were SURE it could never POSSIBLY happen

2 Is there any direction I should point the coop or not point it? Just wondering how weatehr affects the chickens if it does?

These are intelligent questions

Chickens don't like real windy places, or downpours. Unless you live somewhere with Miami-esque winters, it is smart to put the popdoor on the S or E side so that your worst winter winds are not howling into the coop all day (it is possible to build a little windbreak or vestibule type dealie, but that is never as good as simply having the popdoor on a more sheltered side of the coop.

Some chickens will happily wallow around in the rain or tromp thru snow, others are more to the wussie end of the spectrum, it really varies.

They do need shade in hot weather, especially in late afternoon. If you live somewhere that summer heat is a big issue, consider building the run on the N or E side of the coop so that they will be able to use what shade the coop itself casts for at least part of the day.

So, there ya go, not knowing where you live (what your summers or winters are like) I can't give specific advice but those are some things to consider.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​