Our 1st time building a coop. Hope it's ok.

[Carenm]

 

[Baymen Moe]

I'd add some harware cloth to that run. Looks like you have 2x4 welded wire. To easy for critters to get through or reach through. A three foot barrier of harware cloth would be good insurance. I love the storm door!

 

[chickerdoodle]

Good start! Looks like a pretty big henhouse

! How many chickens will you have?

Are you planning on painting it? It is best to do so to help the OSB last longer. I would also be sure to have a second lock on the screen door as those rascally raccoons are clever (and strong!). If you lock your birds in at night and when you are not home your fencing is fine (with the bottom reinforced) but if not then you'll definitely need to reinforce the run including adding 1/2 hardware cloth the first few feet to prevent raccoons grabbing through the larger openings of your current fencing and add electric hot wires near the ground and near the top of the fence. It is also to keep out loose dogs who get a whiff of chicken and think of a nice snack.

Its a great to see you have netting on the top to prevent raptor air strikes. Looks like you have ventilation near the roof too

Its tough to tell if you have any protection along the bottom of the fence yet. If not, any critter can get in even if your birds cannot get out. It takes so much thought into making it predator proof--as well as expense and time.

Really nice start--can't wait for the final photos!

 

[Carenm]

Quote:
We have 4 who are 3 weeks old now and plan on getting 4 more this week ( we take it slow being 1st timers.)

We do plan on painting, just need to get motivated

We also have a 6 foot wood fencer around the perimeter of the yard. I know predators can climb it but we hope it at least makes them think twice.

We do have a lock on the screen door and to the left there is another locked door for the chickens, hopefully they will be well locked in at night.




Thanks for the feedback as 1st timers we are hoping for the best and need all the suggestions we can get

 

[Carenm]

Quote:
Even if we lock them in at night? We don't have a predator problem by day from what I have been told

Thanks for your suggestions, very appreciated since we are 1st timers