New coop.

[Too Fast]

Building a coop on the north side of our greenhouse. There is a fox den under the greenhouse, I'm hoping the 1/2x1" square fence I'm burying will stop them. I've built a coop before for 12 girls, but the underground layout to keep it predator proof went outside.

Do y'all think it will stop a tunneling predator? We are going to have 6 girls. The coop will be off the ground and there will be about 150 sq ft of run area and 35 square feet of coop floor space.

 

[StinkyAcres]

It may or may not. I'd suggest electric fencing/netting since you know the predator is around.

 

[aart]

I'm confused...is the building shown with the mesh attached the coop or the greenhouse?

Show the whole coop and the digging protection you have there.

 

[Too Fast]

I'm confused...is the building shown with the mesh attached the coop or the greenhouse?

Show the whole coop and the digging protection you have there.

What you see is the very beginning. There is a fox den under the greenhouse, and I am not able to lay the wire underlay under the greenhouse effectively. That wall is the north wall of the greenhouse which will be the south wall of the coop. I plan on cutting into the wall for the laying boxes.

I have had success laying that underlay on the outside of my previous coop, no predator ever dug in. My concern is if they dig from under the greenhouse under my underlay into the coop/run area, though I do have it pushed down about 4" at the end opposite the existing wall.

 

[aart]

That wall is the north wall of the greenhouse which will be the south wall of the coop.

Ah, OK, thanks for the clarification.

Is that where the fox is getting to it's den under the GH?
Is the fox living there now?
I'd put an anti dig apron all around the GH, after chasing the fox outta there.

 

[Too Fast]

Our fox seems to be gone, we put smoke bombs under the greenhouse and haven't seen any new digging anywhere.

The coop is coming along nicely, the girls are over 4 weeks now and move in time may be this weekend. Low temps about 50, considering a heat lamp. They are getting fiesty in the bedroom closet!

I have about $225 in material so far, the pallets, siding and angle iron haa all been free.

 

[darelmac]

You should have no problems with the way you are building it. Chickens are natural predator attraction! Their clucking through the day and the squawking following eggs being laid seems to attract every predator within hearing distance. You learn to deal with them as they come. Electric fencing can start very simple and is easy to expand as needed. I have found it to be the best around. I have lost fewer chickens since installing a simple system.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The coop is coming along nicely, the girls are over 4 weeks now and move in time may be this weekend. Low temps about 50, considering a heat lamp. They are getting fiesty in the bedroom closet!

They don't need a heat lamp. Get them weaned off heat (if they're still on heat inside) and start giving them some time outside now if you have somewhere they can safely hang out, and they can go without issue.

 

[Too Fast]

Vent windows added, the human door is solid and shuts securely. On the right side I'm adding a slide out poop tray, their roost will be on that side. Inside the greenhouse will be 2 or 3 laying baskets, we have 6 girls.

I am considering this chicken door. Has anyone used it?