New Coop - Looking for Ideas

[Benderb15]

It does look beautiful. Maybe at least add hardware cloth all around for 3’ - 4’ on the bottom?

I thought about this. Hardware cloth is just so damn expensive. At a minimum maybe i will double up the Chicken wire off center. I have a lot of extra chicken wire.

Adding a little at a time will work. When it starts to smell a little, just add more stuff. After you get 3 - 4 inches deep, it will take longer to give off odors. If you can't get tree trimming chips, you could use cypress mulch or pine bark nuggets. I would get 4 bags to add now, then add stuff as needed. Chicken poop on dirt doesn't smell very good.

I am going to be having 5 big stumps ground down in the next month. I will probably add a bunch of the grindings to the run as a nice base. Then add leaves and trimmings as needed. We have an amazing amount of small branches that fall. I could possibly get the old chipper running and make some home made chips.

I use the same mineral feeders, for my fermented feed. I made key hole slots, so I can hang and remove them easy. Although you shouldn't have to remove that one, I thought I would just pass that info on to you.

Thanks for the tip! i'll be sure to do that even if i never use it its a nice option to have.

Will you be locking your chickens inside the coop every night? Chicken wire will not stop predators. If you want to get 1/2" hardware cloth, check amazon or walmart.com, they have the best prices.

Yes, they get locked up in the coop every night. The run is mainly to just contain them. I also have feral cats that live in the barn (I've learned to live with them as they do provide benefits that outweigh the occasional poop in the barn). They do a pretty good job of keeping other animals away.

What are you gonna use for your run roof?

I am still deciding. Originally, i was looking at something like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Pol...ated-Polycarbonate-Plastic-Roof-Panel/3043439

However, seeing other people i was debating if the extra money for the clear is worth it. Maybe just go with a sold color metal roofing. The coop roof is shingles but this was only because i had extra laying around from my house roof i replace a couple years back.

Get something better to lock your pop door at night, it looks like you have a barrel slide bolt. A raccoon will have that open in a couple seconds. A hasp lock with a carabiner or spring snap clip will work.

I do have a barrel slide on the coop and an auto latch on the run door. Both i use a clip to secure them overnight, in the picture i must of had it removed.

Need more cleats on the ramp to roosts, 4-6" spacing work best.
Might also want to put the low end up on a 16" concrete block, or something, to reduce the steepness.

I did't think about the pitch, that is a good idea. I have plenty of blocks laying around. As the the cleats i was debating if there was enough. They are at 1' on center right now, i'll add some more in between to make them 6"

What is the purpose of the board just above the ground in the run?

My house is 104 years old and has had multiple barns and wells throughout the years. Where the coop and run are located, is right next to the old main well, also it is located over the old water lines and electric lines that run from the house to the barn. These lines are no longer in service but i did not want to dig here, so the run itself is just sitting on the floor. Before i add a rough i will anchor the run using ground anchors, but the piece of wood is to keep the middle of the run square and a true 8'.

Nice dog, always wanted a Shelty.

They are great dogs! Smart and loyal, she never wears a leash and is always at my side.

The rain this morning did not stop the girls from immediately digging into the new pile of 'goodies'.

 

[blackdog043]

I am still deciding. Originally, i was looking at something like this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Pol...ated-Polycarbonate-Plastic-Roof-Panel/3043439

However, seeing other people i was debating if the extra money for the clear is worth it.

I used the tuftex SeaCoaster tan color, I didn't want clear because my run is under trees. I didn't want to look at all the twigs and leaves that would fall on top of it. I do get the worst of it off from time to time anyway, so it doesn't keep building up.

 

[Benderb15]

I used the tuftex SeaCoaster tan color, I didn't want clear because my run is under trees. I didn't want to look at all the twigs and leaves that would fall on top of it. I do get the worst of it off from time to time anyway, so it doesn't keep building up.

I ended up going clear. I wanted as much sunlight as possible, but still keeping the rain of them. I installed it this past weekend. I kind of wish i didn't already though as the trees are budding and already covered it with red buds.

Progress has slowed now that the birds are chirping, my schedule is already busy enough that i squeeze an hour here and there to keep working on it. Here is some pictures of the run roof below.

I still plan on doing something to reinforce the chicken wire on the bottom 4 feet or so. I might added wedge wire 4 x 2, as i have some laying around.

 

[aart]

NICE!!!

I kind of wish i didn't already though as the trees are budding and already covered it with red buds.

You can practice sweeping them off, pretend it's snow

 

[blackdog043]

I kind of wish i didn't already though as the trees are budding and already covered it with red buds.

Looks good! If you have a leaf blower, it will work for the buds, dried leaves and small twigs that will fall on top.

 

[Benderb15]

Looks good! If you have a leaf blower, it will work for the buds, dried leaves and small twigs that will fall on top.

That's a great idea! Never thought about that and will have to give it a try.