pointers/predator safe things we missed on new coop?!

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Hi! We just completed our first coop for our 4 six week old chicks. We still have a few details to take care of but its secure/presator proof and they are spending first night in it tonight! I am adding pics & looking for any thoughts/suggestions on any predator proofing we have missed. The info:
-SoCal california location/weather
-main predators: coyotes, raccoons, skunks, bobcats,
-4 standard hens
-16x6 run with coop (6x4)
-hardware cloth on all 6 sides (wxcept for coop back wall which is wood & double doors will have 3 locks & be reinforced (its screwed shut from outsode for tonite, same with nesting box outside access)
—roof is plywood with hardware cloth and corrogated plastic (just plywood & plastic over coop) (last section of plastic going on sat)
—hardware cloth was attached with screws and washers & is being covered with wood (wood covering of screws 60% done, finishing sat)
—ventilation is 2 windows on coop one faving inside run & one outsode bitb with hardware cloth and latched wood shutter door
—sand floor with hardware cloth under (attached with screws) entire run floor (& 80% of coop over concrete)
—auto run door on coop inside run (poor ladies not happy about being insode but I put a battery operated red puck night light in)
—run door with 2 latches & caribeener (adding 3rd sat)

Let me know what we missed!

 

[cavemanrich]

I see FORT KNOX.
I think you researched coop security well..


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

I see FORT KNOX.
I think you researched coop security well..


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

amazing, this makes my day! I researched so much & we did a lot of revising thru the build!

 

[cavemanrich]

(poor ladies not happy about being insode but I put a battery operated red puck night light in)

Chickens will get used to coop in short time. No worries on your part.

Ask anything chicken related you are not sure of. There is soooooo many here to help answer most anything.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The only thing I would MAYBE change is the height of the nest boxes. They are very shallow.

Chickens actually stand up as the egg emerges so in your set up you may find eggs landing outside the nests.

Other than that it looks like a great set up.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The only thing I would MAYBE change is the height of the nest boxes. They are very shallow.

Woah I just noticed that. What's the height measurements on the nests at entrance, and then at the rear?

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

The only thing I would MAYBE change is the height of the nest boxes. They are very shallow.

Chickens actually stand up as the egg emerges so in your set up you may find eggs landing outside the nests.

Other than that it looks like a great set up.

Thank you for this! And yes, I was thinking the same…we have a few months until they lay so goal is to finalize run & coop this weekend then take a minute to redo the nesting boxes! which I actually have to block access to anyway as the last 2 nights they’ve all huddle pudded in one (I have no bedding in it and have hemp in coop). Their final roosting bars go in tomorrow so hoping they acclimate to those too.

 

[sweetpumpkinfarm]

Woah I just noticed that. What's the height measurements on the nests at entrance, and then at the rear?

Its 12” high at entrance but it slopes too quick…I know we need to change them but have a few weeks (at least) so want to finalize rest of coop/run first then do that!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Its 12” high at entrance but it slopes too quick…

Since they're 6 weeks old that does give you a good 8,9 weeks at least, if not more. I'd just make it a square 12" tall throughout (or if you want to keep the slope of the cover on it, evenly bump up the height on all the sides of the nests) and then you should be fine. Otherwise it all looks pretty good!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Its 12” high at entrance but it slopes too quick…I know we need to change them but have a few weeks (at least) so want to finalize rest of coop/run first then do that!

Thinking about a few things and wanting to help you out.
To keep the nest as comfortable as possible for the birds 12" is good for the back wall but needs to be higher at the entrance so the roof can slope as well as allowing them to stand up.

A. How to do a modification without cutting into the coop wall.

If you built a new box that was 16" at the entrance side and 12" at the low side that gives a 4" difference so still a good slope. Your current roof may still fit but would need moved up obviously. The entrance for the birds can still be the opening you already have in the coop wall.

B. Top hinged nestboxes tend to leak.

Maybe look at ways to make the back wall on the nests a drop down or individual smaller doors for gathering eggs and cleaning nests. That or get creative with inner tube rubber and some sealant to protect that hinged area from water.

You have some time still so it's not a disaster but an opportunity now.