Open air coops

[jeremy]

So I'm looking for designs for an open air style coop. At my new place we're building essentially a chicken aviary, their entire run is going to be fenced in and covered with chainlink/hardware cloth. So I don't necessarily need a Fort Knox coop, just something simple to hold roosts, nest boxes, etc. I've seen some plans that look like a coop frame, then instead of covering the walls with wood they just staple hardware cloth all over. I'd like something a little more visually appealing, or interesting though.

I'm open to suggestions/ideas. I'd love to see photos of your open air coops. Anyone?

 

[PineappleMama]

We made an aviary using Starplates, then added a small coop inside that. But, I don't see why you couldn't just build the aviary and add roosts and whatnot... maybe crossbeams? to that...

Here's pics of our setup... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=335879 it's different anyways.

 

[Morgan7782]

Mine is probably NOT what you are looking for but I thought I would show a small 2 hen open air coop. I may use it as a broody coop later on if I get lucky. It is 2 x 4 ft, so perfect for my two 4 month old pullets. They LOVE it and I can feel comfortable about leaving them in the coop during hot summer days if I ever need to. It is taken from a huge dog crate and changed to a coop. Definately fort knox style lol, accidentally but I was poor and it was the best I could do until I got my bigger coop. When it rains I attatch a rainproof tarp to either side of the run and with that and the orange tree directly behind it, the thing is totally waterproof

I am still trying to figure a way to put a roost in there, right where that ladder piece of wood is.

Not the best I know, but for two hens it works perfectly

 

[jeremy]

Very cool! I imagine you could use something like PVC to create a frame like y'all used.

The only difference I think in mine will be the size. The "aviary" essentially is going to be about 15ft wide by 25 ft long. Also, it's on 2 different levels, our backyard has a retaining wall that leads down to a lower level where there's a creek. We're playing around with the idea of only covering the top part of the run and having gates that allow access to the uncovered lower level/creek. Mostly because there's LOTS of trees on the lower level, making it hard to securely cover entirely.

I had thought about just putting up some roosts and nest boxes in a corner up top but I want to give them some sort of shelter for the winter time. It doesn't snow or freeze very much here in Oakland but we have very rainy winters that do get chilly. I think they'd need something to at least keep them dry. So like a half open air half enclosed style coop.

Love the flamingo, BTW.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I love coops like this. Totally functional and I bet it didn't cost you hardly anything. (BTW I use those zip tie things FOR EVERYTHING, L0L!) Your coop is kind of what I'm thinking of, only larger. Well sort of. The only thing that I'm going to need room for inside of the coop is nesting boxes, food/water and some roosts... for at least 30 birds. Because the run is going to be so secure I don't necessarily need for the chickens to be locked in at night, they could roost in the trees that are inside of the aviary if that's what they'd like. I'm actually kind of hoping they will.

But the idea of something that is very ventilated and open is what I'm looking for. I would like to add some quirky aspects to make it special but I really want it to be about functionality, not aesthetics. Ya know?

 

[Morgan7782]

Yep didn't cost me a dime actually. Got the side wood free from craigslist and the dog crate was my dogs but now he doesn't need it anymore. So I figured I could turn it into a little coop. I originally planned on only having 2 hens MAX. Now I have 5 LOL. The two 4 month olds live in the above coop while my other three enjoy the space of the bigger coop (which should only house 3-4 hens anyhow)

 

[jeremy]

Ha ha... chicken math is fun. I originally only had 8 girls.

In march I had 72 chicks, some where hatchery stock that I ordered as layers others I hatched myself.

I've since whittled that number down to about 30. Including 3 breeding groups that I plan on selling eggs/chicks from next year. I eventually want to raise that number to about 40, so you can see why I'm in need of a lot of space.

Oh dear. We may have to expand the run too.

 

[jasanch5]

keeping an eye on this, hoping this will help with the HOT Phx, AZ summer...

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking, well except for here in CA. Hopefully somebody will come along with an amazing coop and blow us all away with it's mastery.

 

[flowerchicks]

This was originally used as a dog run for the first year I had my cattle dog. When we stopped using it, it was converted to a chicken coop. We added chicken wire to the outside of the 1x2 in fencing to keep chicks in and preditors out (mostly). It's not in the picture (it was taken before the final touches ), but we bought a roll of clear boat vinyl to protect them against the weather in the winter. The front has two seperate panels and the sides each have a panel. We attached it to round posts and roll it up in the summer and during nice days in the winter. There are 2, 2x4 boards used for perching, plus we have branches to give it a more rustic (like it needs that ). There are 3 12x12ft nesting boxes, and a large dog crate with a perch inside for chicks (and silkies). The back half of the coop has 12x12 ft pavers on the floor, the front has pea gravel and sand over dirt, we use leaves as mulch. It has a pull latch on the door, but we added a dead bolt for night so a raccoon couldn't get in. Works great, except, it will NOT keep rats out.