New coop with tarp

[Sbuttress]

So I've just made a bigger space for my girls using pvc pipes and a tarp to cover them but even though I have tied it as much as I can. It is flapping around and the chickens first night in it is tonight and it rocked when they jumped up and I'm worried they hate the tarp sound. Will they get used to it or any ideas on how to make in better

 

[deidreg]

Hello from the states! Is the frame secured to the ground? If it's rocking, it may help to stake it down as you would with a tent. As for the tarp flapping, not sure if it will bother the chickens but you can watch and see. If I had too much flapping, I would consider a heavier tarp. It may be more stable and withstand the wind better. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

PS-Are predators a concern where you are?

 

[Egg Snatcher]

There is a hole in the back of your coop, you could cover it. You could try to make your mesh medle and make supports on the sides and on http so the mesh you have with be tieghter

 

[Araucana Nest]

Hi. That’s a very creative coop. Is the coop staked down well enough that a gust of wind can’t pick it up? I don’t know if the chickens can get used to a lot of flapping and if it stresses them they may stop laying. There are heavier tarps that won’t flap as much. They are the heavy duty ones. The blue ones are much lighter. One avenue is to eventually, as you can, replace the tarp with vinyl roofing panels. You’ll need to add a few more pvc pipes to hold the screws.

 

[Sbuttress]

Hello from the states! Is the frame secured to the ground? If it's rocking, it may help to stake it down as you would with a tent. As for the tarp flapping, not sure if it will bother the chickens but you can watch and see. If I had too much flapping, I would consider a heavier tarp. It may be more stable and withstand the wind better. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

PS-Are predators a concern where you are?

Ok great thank you. Im from Australia and live right in the middle of the suburbs so not too many predators at all but I will be putting chicken wire around that front part

 

[deidreg]

Good idea! The biggest thing I've learned on this forum is that predators are sneaky and it's best to not underestimate them. What are the possibilities in the Sydney suburbs? I'm guessing you have different challenges than we do up here. (I imagine dingos, wombats, etc., but that's my naïve American brain.)

 

[yakitori]

mine got used to the sound. it’s as noisy as heck under there when it rains, but they all settle under it when we get a storm. It scared them a little at first, but now it doesnt bother them at all.

Just noticed your location. I used to live on the north shore. We had 3 chickens. Never had a predator problem during the day, and they had free range of our back yard. We lived right next to the bush too! But at night we apparently have foxes (I’ve never ever seen one) and so we keep them in a secure coop. Because the coop was only for sleeping, it was quite small, maybe 1.5x5m.

Honestly the only thing I would worry about if you live in the suburbs is someone’s stray cat or if a dog broke into your backyard. lol

 

[BleuSaphir]

They look like they have plenty of room.

 

[jng]

I live in Australia too and have used a tarp in part of my chook run. To stop it flapping just put more eyelet holes around the edges and used some big cable ties to secure it firmly. Good luck

 

[Sbuttress]

Good idea! The biggest thing I've learned on this forum is that predators are sneaky and it's best to not underestimate them. What are the possibilities in the Sydney suburbs? I'm guessing you have different challenges than we do up here. (I imagine dingos, wombats, etc., but that's my naïve American brain.)

Hahah not too many but more like wild cats and foxes but i am hoping they get used to the tarp