Opinions on our coop/run?

[georgiashens]

Hi everyone! This is our coop/run for our 5 hens. I’m just wondering what everyone’s opinions are and if there’s anything we can do to improve?

 

[Eggsplorer]

I never thought I would be envious of a chicken LOL! Great set up, may I ask where you got the watering bin? I am still waiting for my chicks to hatch, and trying to find the most efficient and cleanest options for them

 

[georgiashens]

I never thought I would be envious of a chicken LOL! Great set up, may I ask where you got the watering bin? I am still waiting for my chicks to hatch, and trying to find the most efficient and cleanest options for them

Thank you very much! The water bin was just a 20 litre/5 gallon bucket from Amazon and some chicken water cups that are sold separately that we drilled into the sides. The water cups attach nicely with no leaks. It does need to be cleaned quite often though as they tend to kick dirt into it or make it muddy with dirty beaks but it’s a really cheap option and works just as well as the fancy expensive water dispensers!

 

[Eggsplorer]

Thank you very much! The water bin was just a 20 litre/5 gallon bucket from Amazon and some chicken water cups that are sold separately that we drilled into the sides. The water cups attach nicely with no leaks. It does need to be cleaned quite often though as they tend to kick dirt into it or make it muddy with dirty beaks but it’s a really cheap option and works just as well as the fancy expensive water dispensers!

Great information, I have been looking at the water dispensers at the stores and they just didn't seem very durable! The option you choose, to me, keeps the water cleaner than the dispensers that have open bases to mix with yuck. Great job on the coop. That's prime real estate in the poultry world LOL

 

[StinkyAcres]

Looks very nice! Are the chickens ever locked up in the coop portion (at night or during inclement weather)?

 

[georgiashens]

Looks very nice! Are the chickens ever locked up in the coop portion (at night or during inclement weather)?

Thank you! Yes they are locked in at night time but never during the day as the weather here never gets to extreme

 

[StinkyAcres]

Thank you! Yes they are locked in at night time but never during the day as the weather here never gets to extreme

Is there any ventilation in the coop? If not that definitely needs to be fixed. The moist air from their manure and breath, etc. needs to be able to escape when the door is closed.

 

[HenHangout]

Your coop and run roof is already slanted, so I suggest installing gutters and using corrugated pond tubing (cheapest option) to route water to a bin with water feeding nipples, with overflow leading to where natural runoff travels

 

[aart]

Looks pretty good to me.
Yeah, maybe more ventilation, can't really see but looks like two meshed windows?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Look at that green grass this time of the year. That might help others realize how mild your climate normally is. I spent a year in London in the late 1970's so I understand you can possibly see some snowy weather but that may not be very normal.

For five chickens that looks fabulous. In your mild climate ventilation is not as important as it is to many of us. You should not get that hot or that cold. Your roost is very low. I might consider opening up some ventilation at the top of that wall under the roof of your run to keep rain out but I'm not sure how necessary that is.

I don't see a pop door? Do you leave that human door open all day? In your climate and under that roof you are probably OK but for many of us a human door open would let in a lot of weather.

Your main predator concerns are probably dogs and foxes. Do you have dig protection around that so they cannot dig into the run? If not, I'd suggest doing some research on "aprons".

That just looks fabulous!!!