Our coop

[rlh1]

Just wanted to share our first coop! We have two five week olds out there right now. the plan is to add a tunnel from this coop around my garden and along the back wall to where I am planning on building another larger coop. I have two more girls still in the brooder. Any suggestions? The tunnel will be PVC pipe frame, covered in chicken wire overlaid with hardware cloth. With rebar woven along the bottom ends and buried under rock. I live in Las Vegas so my biggest predators are cats and other large birds, and my11 yr old toothless poodle.

 

[HEChicken]

That is a lovely coop and I love the bright, sunny color! The tunnel idea sounds terrific, but if you are overlaying with hardware cloth, I would leave off the chicken wire - the hardware cloth on its own should be sufficient. Another idea for creating the tunnel is to use EMT electrical conduit instead of the PVC. It is lighter weight and in some ways a little easier to work with. Keep us posted - I'd love to see how the tunnel comes out.

 

[Mattemma]

What a cute little coop. I love that color too!

 

[cosbackyard]

The tunnel is a really interesting idea. What's the diameter of the tunnel you're planning?
Do you think chickens will be comfortable using it?

 

[mommyoftwo]

Why use a tunnel?

 

[rlh1]

I haven't measured the diameter yet. I don't have room to expand the little coop where it is and I can't let them out in my yard without supervision, and that won't be everyday. I want them to be able to roam through the tunnel and have a safe place at either end. I do have room on the other end of the yard for a bigger coop. I may use the smaller one as a brooder someday.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Nice coop!! Good color!

 

[rlh1]

Thank you everyone! I'll post picks of the tunnel when I do it. Thanks for the EMT idea, I'll look into it!

 

[Roxannemc]

Tunnel sounds good but will you be able to get them out if you want to coop them before the are ready to go in?

 

[rlh1]

Well, I'm still working that problem out. I will have to be able to get to them. So, maybe a hinged door every few feet? But it would have to be attached and lockable... Any suggestions?