New chicken father of 12

[ButtonHoarder]

Hello welcome to BackYard Chickens! Enjoy your time here!

 

[HappyDuckie]

Hello, and welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! Lots of good advice already. Happy to have you here.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

 

[RebelEgger]

Hello from Nova Scotia and welcome to BYC! You’ve joined a great and resourceful community! Enjoy your journey!

 

[Vickischics]

This is my chicken coop and run. Any suggestions on how to improve my coop. I was thinking of making a bigger run.

Welcome to BYC and you have a Nice Coop. You can go to the forum of coops and ask for help there. All the different categories for pictures and help are listed in the FORUM section. Good Luck with your flock and coop. We are EGG-Cited you joined BYC.

 

[toryjackson27]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Take out the blocking and insulation from between the rafters on both ends and cover those areas with 1/2" hardware cloth. Extend the front (high side) of the roof by sistering some 2x4s and attaching some roofing that extends over the the top of the current roofing at least 4 " to prevent rain from blowing in. You could also benefit from nailing a PT fascia board over the rafter tails. You should also install some top hinged windows high up to help with ventilation. You are very lacking in ventilation for the birds to remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
I would also triple or quadruple the size of the run and make it taller so you can walk in it. The birds will be cramped in the space you currently have. A larger run will also enable you to put things in it for the birds.
Do you have a predator apron around everything to prevent digging predators?
I realize it's expensive but 1/2" hardware cloth over all the walls is far better protection. A solid roof will keep the run much drier and provide better shelter during winter.

I have been trying to add and to remove the run I have now, but winter is here. I want to try to build a 7 feet high by 8 feet wide run with a hard top. Do you think that's enough space?

 

[416bigbore]

Hello and welcome to BYC, You found an Awesome poultry Forum to be a part of with many great knowledgeable members who are more then willing to jump in and help you with any questions you may have.

 

[DobieLover]

I have been trying to add and to remove the run I have now, but winter is here. I want to try to build a 7 feet high by 8 feet wide run with a hard top. Do you think that's enough space?

What will be the length?
How many birds do you intend to house?
Target a total of 15 sq ft per bird between the coop and run. More would be better.
Walk-in height is good.