new coop and run - is this OK? What should I change? pics

[kickinchicken]

I agree with pretty much everyone on the changes:

1. Use under your deck as their run...only need to buy hardware cloth...be sure to BURY IT about 2 feet deep...dogs and coons LOVE to dig!
2. You need to weather-proof the hutch a bit. Leave the south-facing side as a secure window-this will be your heat source in winter. And make sure you have enough ventilation...see patandchickens ventilation page.
3.If your neighbor's kid keeps trespassing, let the parents know! They need to be responsible for their kid! You can get a nice electric fence really cheap! One zap and he'll be out of your hair...just kidding. But really, let the parents know that he has let other dogs into your yard without permission and that you'd appreciate it if he'd just stay off your property.
4.As far as the dogs go, call the dog officer EVERY TIME you see them at large. Dogs at large are illegal in most communities. Again, electric fencing goes a LONG way!

I'd expand a bit once you can afford it. Look for free wood people set outside on the curb on trash day. a 2x4 here, a sheet of plywood there...and viola! A new "wing" in the hen house!

Enjoy!!

 

[teach1rusl]

So you don't get cold weather winters? That would be one big thing to consider with your current coop/hutch. If you do, you're gonna' have to do some serious winterization; but screwing plywood over the wire would be pretty simple at least. Could you screw the nest box (if that's what that is sitting inside) as far up along the back wall as possible, so that they had more floor space? I hope that the deck run idea works out, because that is a really tiny space for them to be confined to. You may not notice it now, but you will when they are grown. I don't know how much you paid for the hutch, but would it be possible to get another one and put two together somehow???

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Quote:
Shew.. Im glad you didnt take what I said badly.

I thought about it afterwards and hoped it didnt sound to harsh. My thought there was, hey you asked for ideas!

And I just want your chicks to be happy, healthy and comfortable!

 

[LittleFeat]

Not sure this would work but is it possible to turn the run framework on its side so there is more ground area? Can't quite tell from the pictures but you don't have the wire on it yet and it looks like it could go either way. They wouldn't need the head room as much as the ground space. It may be a moot point if you use the deck area for the run but just thought maybe you could gain more area with the frame turned.

I think the coop is cute and so are your girls....butts and all!!

 

[erindubb]

Thanks so much for the ideas. You chicken people are the BEST!!! I like the idea of turning the run on the side so they have more ground space- I could do that until I am able to enclose the deck thing since that will take longer to get ready. I thought they would like head space as much as ground space - so I am glad someone suggested the other way.

Everyone has been so helpful. The deck thing really might work - but as far as more coop or run out in the yard - this is all I the space I could use. I thought I measured it all correctly to have enough space for each bird to be happy. I guess I should maybe have one less chicken. But, I figure they are still WAY happier than chickens in most commercial chicken farms - all stacked up and all. Plus we do let them out when we can watch them (really watch the neighborhood cats, dogs, kids - is more like it)
I was thinking about what someone said - "don't these people with little coops know that baby chicks get big?" But, really I did the best I could. Are you going to tell a family living in a small apartment not to have any kids - because the babies grow up into teenagers? I know many families living happily in condos.

I am more comfortable in my house probably since I have more room - but just as well taken care of. heehee
just a thought....i guess I am feeling guilty about having chickens and not having a palace of a coop.

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Quote:
Hey dont feel guilty! We all have to learn.
You should see my coops! I had them on the tacky coops thread...lol.
But I really dont think my chickens care they dont have a beautifully decorated, painted, landscaped palace, but they have room, grass, greens, leftovers, chicken food, a roof over their heads, shade and clean water, and love.

And I got my 1st chickens in Feb. Having not been around chickens before, I really couldnt imagine how large mine would get!

 

[tylermckee]

Quote:
All the wire on my run is attatched with 1 1/4" galv. staples and i don't think I could get through it without tools. So i would say staples are fine as long as they are not the puny ones you would tack a poster up with. But i would say it could use a few more, I used over 1,000 in my run.

 

[NewHen]

It's hot where I live and my chickens seem to spend most of the hot part of day under coop rather than in it or in the run. Mine is lower than yours and dark. So, I think using some that space under your deck was a great idea. I'm thinking about covering the end of my run so some of it's in the shade.

I think that the person who sold your coop probably just had her chickens sleep in there if they were free rangers. If you give your chickens the run of under the deck area, they'll probably only go into the coop at night anyway. I would just make sure they've got a nice nest box, so you don't have to crawl under there to get rotten eggs.

 

[Steven0150]

you should by some ply wood and close off half just in case for preditors if rain and winder so its warmer.