New Hoop Coop/Run

[ChaosMom]

@dsa1912 is there a way that you could roll the plastic up on the sides to maximize ventilation and cooling? - and then roll it down if heavy rain is predicted, or if you get a cold snap.

I don’t know how sturdy your plastic is; probably not as much as a tarp.

 

[dsa1912]

Oh I see. The two end walls don't have plastic on them? That's good.

Have you got an outdoor thermometer? I'd probably take some readings in different places in the coop just to make sure it's not heating up like a greenhouse.

So it's hot and humid where you are? Does it rain a lot?
I'm guessing as I'm not from the US.

Will you be free ranging them at all? Or just free ranging the geese?
If possible, I would house the geese separately, or at least let them out during the day and have their water facility outside of the coop.

Chickens like dry earth to scratch and dustbathe in. Waterfowl like water. They have different needs.

I'm in the UK where it rains a lot. For 3 seasons of the year I'm battling mud. I used to keep ducks in with my chickens. Never again. The ducks were mud making machines. No amount of alternate substrate made it better. I'm not sure if geese are as bad, but you could ask in the goose forum.

I would put the roosts nearer to the nest boxes in the more sheltered half of the run.

And fill the run with things. A table for shade underneath and jumping up onto. Some branches or an old pallet leaning against the side, a bale of straw. Things they can hide behind, jump on, and peck at.

Free ranging during the day and the intent is to keep the run from turning to mud.

We'll have a vent fan a the rear with an overhead fan for circulation. I can always remove the plastic if it's too much, be it for heat or otherwise.

They'll get to enjoy the outdoors 70% of the time, from morning to evening, thank you for all the feedback folks.

 

[Laurasb65]

Hi all.

My wife and I are green to the poultry life, but here's what we've constructed so far. 8'x16' open-air coop and run. We've added a few roosts, but we're looking for suggestions on what's right vs wrong, or any helpful insights.

The space will be filled by 9 chicks and 3 geese. Varieties below and all will be arriving as newer hatchlings around June 12th 2025 (so plenty of time to upgrade their space):

3x Rhode Island Red
3x Easter Egger
3x Buff Orpington
3x Embden Geese

Some contextual notes, we plan on adding a second thicker and slightly longer tarp to cover the one pictured, it'll reach the frame boards at the base. More roosts are probably needed (We see corner 2x4s are popular, so maybe), and we've yet to select our food and water locations, ideally we'll hang those from the roof structure. Additionally we'll be adding hardware cloth around the base and extending out for dig prevention.

We built a brooder box out of a 75 gallon rolling tote, cut out the lid and replaced with 1/4" hardware cloth, as well as acquired a heat plate, chick feeder/waterer, chick feed, and some toys for down the road. (Pictures to come)

We're both working hard to read resources that'll help us provide the greatest care for the ladies, but there's always blind spots. If you see something below that's a red flag, or have any friendly advice, it's greatly appreciated.

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I would also suggest 2x4 for their roost. This way there feet lay flat and not curled when they're sleeping, it's more comfortable for them.