Now, the WIFES coop and run, lol....

[Puresilk]

I built this entirely from scratch. Any tips and ideas to make it more user friendly? (I know, the roof is a tiny bit lopsided and I am missing some trim under at the very top on the front). I got this far and got tired of workign on it, lol.

The building is 8x8, the run is 8x12x6 tall

This door is going to have hardware cloth and some super heavy duty 2x4 welded wire covering the inside of the hole. For ventilation purposes we will just open this door in the summer time during the day.

 

[Zahboo]

They'll end up roosting over the food and water, soiling it. and the chainlink needs some hardware cloth at the bottom to keep heads in and predators out. Besides that, it's AWESOME.

 

[Puresilk]

I have silkies, they cant roost on anything over probably 15 inches high. I have my two hounds tied right beside the runs and a very good watch dog running loose. I am not too worried about varmints getting them as I put them up before dusk each night. The smallest varmints we have is coon, skunk and possum, we dont have any weasels or anything like that. I am going to put some boards in the gaps between the panels just in case, but like I said, I have my hounds right there and a dog running loose that is bad news on any critter that isnt supposed to be on the place, be it dog, man or varmint.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

The first thing to do is move the food and water or you will be cleaning it out everyday. Maybe some wire where the post meet where the gaps are wider. You did a great job.

 

[Puresilk]

I also have horse panels laid beneath the run, sticking out 1.5 foot all the way around. The panels have holes that are 5 inches by 6 inches, plenty big enough for silkies to dust. I am considering putting a small bin in there with dirt/sand in it strictly for dusting purposes. Do you guys recommend putting 7 dust in the dusting bin, or something of the sort to help with mites, etc....

 

[Puresilk]

Quote:
Thank you

. I am going to put boards or something of the sort in the gaps between panels. I dont see how they could mess the food or water as silkies cant fly, and the board the feeder/waterer are hung off of are almost 3 foot high.

 

[DaveD]

I'd cover the top of the run. the predators can hang out in the trees and come in from above.
Beautiful looking coop

-David

 

[ksct]

one thing.... chickens don't care if the roof is lop sided.

is that chain link like 2 feet around the run on the ground?! you don't mess around!
as long as silkies can't fly... I think the water and food will be okay.....
looks really good and I agree about covering the run. even just some bird netting (I don't think that's what the real name of it is)
Ours is covered. I feel safer.

 

[Puresilk]

Its not chain link on the ground, its horse panels. I ahve coonhunted all my life, and I refuse to be outsmarted by coon where my chickens are concerned, lol...I am gonna get some bird netting or chicken wire and cover the top...my wife sure likes it, lol...she better, I told her that if she doesnt I will very happily swap her coops

...

 

[joletabey]

Another wonderful DH!!!!