post your chicken coop pictures here!

[elesandchickens]

Looking closely, the roosting pole you have is way too thin for your heavy birds! I wouldn't be surprised if they roost on that much wider board that is the top of the nesting boxes.  Much easier on their feet and much more sure footing. Of course that meana when they have to go, all that crap will end up in the nest boxes (which don't appear covered at all). Just a thought.

The roosting pole was put in when they were much tinier chicks - now that they're almost 4 months old I believe you're right, it's time to upgrade to big chicken roosts
And maybe the pic has some funky perspective but the nest boxes are covered

 

[jtbass2756]

Looks like untreated wood against the dirt. That's a big "No, no", it will rot the wood in no time. You could ask them to lift it up on cinder blocks or something. How high you should bring the vinyl up the sides depends on many things. If you're planning on doing the deep litter method, you need to bring it pretty high, I might even go with a foot and a half, although that would be in order to heat the coop with the deep litter in winter. If you're just going to use shavings or something similar, you can go with less. I don't know if you need the hardware cloth under the floor, someone who knows the critters in your area is better suited to answer that one. But be sure to do something about digging predators in the run. Also, the roof line looks pretty level, you should off-set it to allow water to run off it.

Its actually not attached to the bottom boards and will be lifted up and set on pressure treated posts. They are trying to let my DH have a say in the location before they set it permanently. Not planning to use the deep-litter method but will have a poop board that can be pulled out like drawer and a window will be inset on the front. Talked to them today. The roosts boards will run from the front to back on the left side of this pict. with the poop drawer pulling out from behind the back wall..under where the nest boards are temporarily located right now. The run will run from the front to the tree line on the left up about 10' to the front, then across and back to the front corner of the existing wing. There will be posts tall enough to add 2/4's across the top where wire will be placed to protect them from the top. Food/water will be hung from under the nesting boxes. Might even close off a couple until all the ladies start laying. There will be a door that will let down from the rear to be able to reach in to reach the eggs. Can you suggest anything else? Oh, there will be a motion light on the front that covers the run...solar ..

 

[Melabella]

When we moved in , all of my surrounding neighbors told me they lost all their chickens within 2 weeks of getting them to fox, and coyote. I went a little nutty on the run. I also buried galvanized 1 x 1 underneath the run. So far, 2 years later, still have not lost one to a predator, but not fooling myself either, I know the day will come as they do free range during the day I have trained my LSGD to run along with the hawks when I tell him to "look up" and I finally saw him do it on his own the other day . We can't always be out with them, but I do leave the dog out if they are out.

 

[Sylvester017]

When we moved in , all of my surrounding neighbors told me they lost all their chickens within 2 weeks of getting them to fox, and coyote. I went a little nutty on the run. I also buried galvanized 1 x 1 underneath the run. So far, 2 years later, still have not lost one to a predator, but not fooling myself either, I know the day will come as they do free range during the day I have trained my LSGD to run along with the hawks when I tell him to "look up" and I finally saw him do it on his own the other day . We can't always be out with them, but I do leave the dog out if they are out.

Looks like you got the #1 rated intelligence dog - Border Collie. Ours from years ago preferred herding our chickens (which didn't need herding at all) rather than herding the goats and sheep which were in dire need of herding!!! Since I was a toddler at the time and if I was outdoors he preferred herding me rather than the chickens! Great dogs and fast learners but they are also independent problem-solving thinkers.

 

[trnman32]

This design has always fascinated me.  Are these used as permanent coops or use as tractors to move chickens around to designated foraging spots?  And do you tarp over them on rainy days or do you have another coop housing for the chickens?

see where the back two cross braces are lower there will be tin there on both sides wherethe chicks can get out of bad weather and yes it will be there permanent home and ill move it around my yard so they can forage .

 

[RachRed]

Thank you so much for that information. I love the wood look, fiance doesn't really care for it though. But I am more concerned about the high heat through the summer days here and destroying the paint.

I've seen a couple of coops with the natural wood stain and a bright accent color on the trim. I love that look...could be a good compromise

 

[Melabella]

Looks like you got the #1 rated intelligence dog - Border Collie. Ours from years ago preferred herding our chickens (which didn't need herding at all) rather than herding the goats and sheep which were in dire need of herding!!! Since I was a toddler at the time and if I was outdoors he preferred herding me rather than the chickens! Great dogs and fast learners but they are also independent problem-solving thinkers.

He gets mistaken for a Border plenty, especially since he is a black and white. He is actually an English Shepherd. Best **** farm dog in IMHO. Lovely lovely herding, guardian, and general all around do it all type attitude. It's been said they are like Borders ,, but they have a turn off switch. Very protective over what is masters, and luckily for me, that means chickens...lol. He has in incredible sense of what belongs and what doesn't . All he wants to do is please master. Wish my house was big enough for 5 more!

www.englishshepherd.org

MB

 

[tanksfarm5667]

Quote:

Good job! I would suggest running a piece of 2x6 or something like that across the very bottom of the wire on both sides of the door because raccoons in my neighborhood like to pull up the wiring to break in for dinner.

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

My suggestion is a paver stone or cinderblock border around the base of the pen to deter dogs, foxes, digging predators.  There is a wooded area near the coop that probably harbors a lot of critters on chicken diets.

 

[tanksfarm5667]

My ole buddy Dekota pit / German Shepard is close to stand guard and I've still got some tricks up my sleeve not done preditor proofing yet

 

[Foghorn4]