post your chicken coop pictures here!

[scubaharry]

The coop footprint is 8ft x 8ft and is 2 ft off the ground which give them a nice outside shelter. The run is also 8ft x 8ft giving a combined 8 x16 area. Water system uses 4 water nipples inside and 5 outside. Automatic door opener is expensive but worth it. Poop catcher under 2 perchs is a big help in keeping clean inside. With Windows and storm door lot's of light. Installed a metal roof so can collect water, gutters still need to be installed. Holding tank is about 25 gallons, have to put in a little bleach in to keep alge from growing.

 

[kenmlang]

The coop footprint is 8ft x 8ft and is 2 ft off the ground which give them a nice outside shelter. The run is also 8ft x 8ft giving a combined 8 x16 area. Water system uses 4 water nipples inside and 5 outside. Automatic door opener is expensive but worth it. Poop catcher under 2 perchs is a big help in keeping clean inside. With Windows and storm door lot's of light. Installed a metal roof so can collect water, gutters still need to be installed. Holding tank is about 25 gallons, have to put in a little bleach in to keep alge from growing.

Coop looks wonderful. But I see 2 problems. The first one is if you have racoons around, or skunks, they can get your birds thru the wire you have on your run. I would suggest 1/2" mesh hardware cloth at least 2ft up from the ground, more if possible. The second problem is, do not put bleach in your waterer. Use apple cider vinegar to get the same results, without harming your birds. Use a tablespoon to 1.5 gallon ratio. It will keep the algae at bay and also be beneficial to the birds. In the summer you can cut it back to 1 tablespoon to a gallon.

 

[kenmlang]

I am so sorry, I forgot to welcome you to BYC. Welcome From Cut-N-Shoot, TX!!!

 

[kenmlang]

I am new on here and my son and i have just took up this chicken business. We really enjoy our 4 chickens, Rhode island red, black australorp, and 2 plymouth rocks my son 9 just loves them! He calls them by name and they just come running to him waiting for the treats he has for them. They follow him all over the yard when we let them out in the evening after schiool. I went a little over kill on the run but my son said that he wanted them to have plenty of room. hope to post more pics soon.

Welcome From Cut-N-Shoot, TX!!!!

 

[scubaharry]

Thank you. Hard to tell but first 4 feet, and 10 inches below ground 1x 1 welded wire. Ran out of wire why bird netting being used. Now have wire but not installed yet. Will also have it over run as well. Thank you for the tip about Apple Cider vinegar, just thought that was to keep them healthy as with some garlic every now and then. New to this so still learning. Cheers

 

[roostercantrell]

Coop looks wonderful. But I see 2 problems. The first one is if you have racoons around, or skunks, they can get your birds thru the wire you have on your run. I would suggest 1/2" mesh hardware cloth at least 2ft up from the ground, more if possible. The second problem is, do not put bleach in your waterer. Use apple cider vinegar to get the same results, without harming your birds. Use a tablespoon to 1.5 gallon ratio. It will keep the algae at bay and also be beneficial to the birds. In the summer you can cut it back to 1 tablespoon to a gallon.

i agree it does look good also i would agree you defintly need smaller wire because the coons and possums can get thru the wire i am gonna have to replace the wire on mine too eventuly

 

[roostercantrell]

I am new on here and my son and i have just took up this chicken business. We really enjoy our 4 chickens, Rhode island red, black australorp, and 2 plymouth rocks my son 9 just loves them! He calls them by name and they just come running to him waiting for the treats he has for them. They follow him all over the yard when we let them out in the evening after schiool. I went a little over kill on the run but my son said that he wanted them to have plenty of room. hope to post more pics soon.

welcome to byc these guys on here are knowledgable dont be afraid to ask ??

 

[zteagirl71]

Here is our main coop - Le Poulet Chalet. We ordered it from TUFF SHED.




View of the egg box side




Here is the run we got for free from someone my sister knows - Thanks Grandpa Jim, you saved me a lot of construction agony!




Here is a good view of our little coop I made - Hen Pecked General Hospital and our chairs we set up to watch Chicken T.V.



Inside Poulet Chalet. It has three egg boxes, however, all the girls use one egg box.




a view of the roosts with the poopy boards. The idea is that the birds are supposed to poop on the boards when they roost and then I can take the nights bounty to the compost pile.




Another inside view


I just love our chicken complex! I like to think the girls like it too.

 

[roostercantrell]

Here is our main coop - Le Poulet Chalet. We ordered it from TUFF SHED.




View of the egg box side




Here is the run we got for free from someone my sister knows - Thanks Grandpa Jim, you saved me a lot of construction agony!




Here is a good view of our little coop I made - Hen Pecked General Hospital and our chairs we set up to watch Chicken T.V.



Inside Poulet Chalet. It has three egg boxes, however, all the girls use one egg box.




a view of the roosts with the poopy boards. The idea is that the birds are supposed to poop on the boards when they roost and then I can take the nights bounty to the compost pile.




Another inside view


I just love our chicken complex! I like to think the girls like it too.

that is cool love the name you gave it

 

[chalet girl]

Welcome to BYC from Cut-nShoot TX!!! First of all your coop looks great and well built. I personally, would just put them in the run when you first get them home. Let them just settle and begin to enjoy their new home. You may have to physically put them in the coop the first couple of times, when it is time for them to go to bed for the night. They will be unsure of the ramp, and not want to use it. A good way to make them discover for themselves it is safe is, in the morning, just open the coop door and walk away. If they want out bad enough, they will get over their fear of the ramp.

As for the scraps, I wouldn't give them too much at first, but later (next day) give them pretty much anything they want, in moderation. The most important thing to remember is make sure they have plenty of clean fresh water.

I have one concern though. You said that you were going to secure the run with poultry wire. I have gotten away from poultry wire, because racoons and dogs can tear that stuff apart. I suggest 1/2" mesh hardware cloth. I realize it is pricey, but your birds would be a lot safer.

Anyway, welcome again, and I hope this was of help to you. We are excited for you too!!!

Thanks for the advice!! I hadn't thought about them having to get used to the ramp!!

As for the wire...The worst we can get here are foxes and weasels! We haven't seen weasels in about 15 years. I keep telling DH that if we had to worry about raccoons we’d have to take about 30 more precautions

Most folks here (Belgium) use this wire and it does a good job keeping foxes at bay.