PICS my new coop

[luvchicks8]

I am only using chicken wire for the very top vents and hardware cloth for the windows.

 

[Ceilismom]

Quote:
Height will not stop a determined raccoon. I have seen them climb up an electric pole that had no handholds. There appear to be quite a few trees or tall bushes around your coop. A raccoon could climb them and then jump/drop onto the roof of your coop. If the hole behind the chicken wire is small enough for a raccoon or other predator (weasel, fox, rat etc.) to squeeze through, your chickens would be much safer with hardware cloth instead.

 

[PortageGirl]

It's a great coop! Very nice indeed!

I agree about using hardware cloth even on the top vents, raccoons climb VERY well. You'll be glad to have windows so you can open them wide during the summer for ventilation, and possibly cracking them a bit in the winter, but also, having a dark cave of a coop is very unpleasant for you and the flock.

In cold and/or rainy (or worse!) days, you may not want the doors open, but having some natural light in there is IMO a necessity. I have three in a 8 x14 shed type building similar to yours, one on each side and one up high in the back, and wish I had more! I may be cutting in another window as soon as I find a good sized one someplace that will work. I'm not going to go buying one but I'll find one someplace eventually!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Very nice coop. I agree with the others - you need hardware cloth instead of chicken wire everywhere. (go check out the Preditors & Pests section).

More windows for ventilation and light so your girls will continue to lay in the darker months.

Can't wait to see what colors you paint it.

 

[luvchicks8]

Heat wave stopped progress but should be done tomorrow. I am thinking of naming it egg-a-day inn. Any other suggestions?

 

[luvchicks8]

Quote:
I hear rain for Saturday. Changed our waterpark trip to Sunday.

 

[fldiver97]

Great coop!!! Mine is the same size with the same style door. I only have 6 standard chickens but also store my feed and grit/oyster shell in metal containers in the coop. Originally it was a tool shed/garden shed without ANY windows or vents. I live in WI, long winters, cold and lots of snow. No electric, just a little solar shed light for the coop. I added 2 smaller windows and a few vents high up and run a cord for a heated waterer in winter. The coop is insulated up to the roof line only. Mostly shaded in summer. I just added another window in the back a couple of months ago as it was too dark inside the coop and I need more ventilation. I would recommend at least 2 windows for those reasons. I can open the bottom half of all windows, they are safely screened. It makes a lot of difference during the hot, humid summer. During winter it will give the girls more natural light as they are not fond of snow and spend more time in the coop and the covered run. Post pics after it's finished!!!!!!