New coop and run thanks to BYC

[Lakewichix]

This spring we set out to build a coop. We didn't know where to start until we found Back Yard Chickens. My wife and 2 daughters helped with every step of construction. We repurposed an old ice fishing shack that had rusty metal siding that we liked. I had some left over FRP for the floor that should make clean up a breeze. We are doing the deep litter method with good success so far. Thanks for all the help. Eggs should be coming soon.

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC!!! Looks good! Congrats!!!
Mine has metal siding too. Hope to see you around.....

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Nice coop! Do review your predator protection plans; I hope the coop door latches are raccoon proof, and that they are locked in at night. Are you going to roof all or part of your run? Snow in winter is a pain, and the chickens hate it. Mary

 

[Abriana]

Welcome to BYC! And that is a great looking coop! As for predator protection, is that hardware cloth or chicken wire covering the top? Predators can easily rip through chicken wire, hardware cloth can't be ripped through. Just a suggestion!

 

[Lakewichix]

Welcome! Nice coop! Do review your predator protection plans; I hope the coop door latches are raccoon proof, and that they are locked in at night. Are you going to roof all or part of your run? Snow in winter is a pain, and the chickens hate it. Mary

The door of the run is raccoon proof for sure and the main coop door is a door knob. The only one in question would be the latch on the 1/2 screen door. That one is just a flip latch. Can raccoons flip them open?

We have a 12'x6' area of the run with tin on it and the remainder is covered in netting. Tough to see in the photos. The sides of the runs are 2x4 heavy wire that is 4" below ground and then we buried hardware cloth out 18" and covered with a thin layer of dirt and seeded grass. They are locked in the coop at night but we have been leaving the top 1/2 of the coop door open. The chickens enter the coop through a sliding door that we can open and close from just inside the door with a rope.

Any any suggestions on security? Thanks for the input.

 

[Abriana]

Raccoons are very smart. I would invest in some caribeeners for the locks. I have locks on the doors, plus other locks. Never had a problem

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Great job!!!

Regarding the flip latch on the half screen (I have one in my coop too, LOVE it!) are you talking about a hook/eye type latch or? If it is a hook/eye type flip latch there is a type that has a spring loaded slider piece that slices open/closed on the underside of the hook so that when it's closed you have to actually slide the slider back and then flip the hook up to open the latch, an added level of challenge to the process.

 

[Folly's place]

I have actual locking door knobs on my coop doors, with the keys hanging on a post nearby. People here have noted that "if a three year old child can open it, so can a raccoon". I believe it! Mary

 

[Lakewichix]

Great job!!!

Regarding the flip latch on the half screen (I have one in my coop too, LOVE it!) are you talking about a hook/eye type latch or? If it is a hook/eye type flip latch there is a type that has a spring loaded slider piece that slices open/closed on the underside of the hook so that when it's closed you have to actually slide the slider back and then flip the hook up to open the latch, an added level of challenge to the process.

The run door has a locking latch with a carabiner. So that should keep out predators. Had to ad the rope because it locks behind you from the inside. Found that out the hard way while home alone. I think I will get a more secure latch for the coop door. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Leighe]

Welcome @Lakewichix! So happy you introduced yourself. Yes, you'll need a more secure latch for the coop door. Raccoons can open a flip latch easily. I LOVE, LOVE, these stable doors everyone is doing (half doors). I especially like that ya'll stuck the framed screen inside so you can see in there and get air in there. Ya'll did an amazing job and thank you so much for showing pictures. Some of us (me) need to update our pens and coops, lol. Great job by your daughters and wife too!