New Chicken Nana in Alabama

[N F C]

Thank you for the info. I have 6- 1week old bitties. Judging by their wings feathers , I have possibly 4 hens and 2 roosters but only god knows for sure. Lol I hope to have 15-20 hens one day with a couple of roosters in separate coops. So I could start 1-2 boxes and add as I need too. Thank you so much.

Good idea to start with 1-2, as you say, you can add more later as your flock grows.

 

[jambarker]

Good idea to start with 1-2, as you say, you can add more later as your flock grows.

Thank you

 

[3KillerBs]

Are hoop coop predator resistant?

If you build them well they are.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[fuzzi]

I was working on hoop coop but the cattle panels are $60 each and roll of wire is $200. My actual is made from scrap wood and pallets and scrap wire. I really appreciate all the info and suggestions. I am going to concentrate on the hoop coop and do my best to what need. Are hoop coop predator resistant? I do have coyotes and my dogs to worry with? Again thank you so much

I believe my hoop coop is about as predator resistant/proof as I could make it. The biggest expense was hardware cloth (1/2") that I secured over the entire coop AND used as an apron all around the perimeter, 18" out.

Some have suggested that you only need chicken wire, but a casual search here will result in horror stories of what happened to chickens when their owners decided that they could save money by not making the coop and run as secure as possible.

You want to keep your chicks safe? Do the best you can to keep them safe. They're an investment, both financial and emotional.

And build as big as you can, as you'll be able to expand more easily. I planned on three cattle panels (12') but picked up a fourth on impulse, and am glad I did.

Why I went for security, stray dogs

Addendum: I have had raccoons and snakes try to get in so far, too.

 

[Nomadicus]

My hoop coops with plywood ends have been predator proof from coyotes so far. I still worry as they are the biggest predator I have here in lower Alabama. I do have wire over the cattle panels.

The light bulb just went off in this old noggin about cattle panels. They only cost me about $35 when bought from Alabama Farmers Co-Op.

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome. Nicely said @fuzzi

 

[Fuchsia]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[fuzzi]

The light bulb just went off in this old noggin about cattle panels. They only cost me about $35 when bought from Alabama Farmers Co-Op.

Mine were about $35 each at Agri Supply. Tractor Supply was more expensive.

I bought good quality hardware cloth online (https://www.amazon.com/48inx50ft-Hardware-Galvanized-Welding-Chicken/dp/B08PQ11RG3?ref_=ast_sto_dp). When I ran short the stuff I bought locally was cheap, broke when I tried to bend it.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC! pleased to meet you and thanks for joining us.