New Coop and Covered Run

[LaurenM23]

Well, I can't claim design or construction of the coop...I'm a cheater! We did design and build the outdoor run attached, though! A portion running behind the coop only has a wire top, since the tree and coop provide shade. The rest of the run gets plenty of sun, even with the top. We wanted something for all weather use and more predator-resistant. My next improvement will be recessing bricks along the outer edges of the run to discourage digging, though we haven't had any issues yet.

 

[Imp]

That's very nice, such a pretty setting too.

Imp

 

[TipsyDog]

Very nice. How many chickens do you have? If you are concerned about predators, I'd put hardware cloth on the run instead of chicken wire. A coon can go right through chicken wire as can other predators. We buried hardware cloth 12" deep around the run, or you can bury it out, like an apron around the perimeter. Good work

 

[LaurenM23]

Thank you! We currently have eight chicks, but we anticipated some of those might be roos that we wouldn't keep (we suspect two). Allegedly, it was designed for up to twelve birds, but I think six to eight could fit comfortably without being too crowded. We are talking about beefing up the wire perimeter with tighter wire mesh, but we don't have much of a predator issue being so close to the house and other buildings. We have barn cats on patrol (they seem convinced they can't get the chicks, so we're not too worried about them) and killer mini horses on the loose! haha

 

[calista]

Boy, that's a pretty set-up (especially with those raised garden beds in the background), but I'd sure feel better for you if you'd add hardware cloth to at least the bottom half of that run.

Make no mistake about urban raccoons finding you, even if they haven't yet. Hate to see you get victimized by those masked bandits.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Quote:
Killer mini horses! That's a predator deterrent strategy I hadn't thought of yet!

If you are religious about looking the birds in the coop at night, you probably won't have much of a problem with raccoons. I like to be able to leave the pop door open, though, and let them run out into the run whenever they wake up. That means hardware cloth! We have it up the first 6 feet, and buried down 8" all around. Never had any problems with it.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Very nice coop and run. The setting is lovely...so green compared to our dry state!!
I really like the salt box coop and how you mimicked the design in the run. Great job!

 

[MeettheFlockers]

Looks wonderful and omg your yard is awesome!

 

[LaurenM23]

Thank you, thank you! We have 65 acres in total and keep two full sized horses, two killer minis, the chicks, four barn cats, and two dogs. The raised beds are our first gardening adventure...already we're turning out squash like nobody's business! haha We also raise our own hay, though without any rain to speak of, it's dried out something awful right now.

I'll be hitting TSC at lunch to pick up my additional wire...you people have scared me enough! haha We really were contemplating that already, even though we haven't had an issue. It only takes once, so safety first! I am thinking that when we dig the trench to inset the brick, perhaps I will bury some of the wire, too.

 

[Layla1223]

I love your coop.

My grandpa just finished making one like that for me. We still have to finish the run though. I like how the roof of the run is at the same angle as the coop roof. Great Job!