post your chicken coop pictures here!

[lynnehd]

That's gorgeous. Pond AND chicken TV!
Those are some lucky chickens.

 

[perchie.girl]

More good info! We're going to try to make a sort of screened porch thing today for the coop.

In the "I couldn't have predicted that" category, we thought the chicks were safe on the third floor of our house in the pen we made them, but last week my daughter called down slightly panicked: there was a rat snake on top of their pen!

They come for rats and mice.... I have had snakes come into my finch aviarys and fill up on eggs then are too fat to get out.... Half inch wire... very very small eggs.

Hardware cloth is your best investment.... for any surfaces that are exterior.... Chicken wire is good to contain chickens... but these days the gauge is so fine even I could break it with my fingers.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

We just finished are 1st chicken coop and we have six chickens.

excellent coop and run and landscaping....

 

[lotsalyons]

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Still needs a lock and extra chicken wire on the screen door, but they're pretty happy!

 

[yolksonus]

We just finished are 1st chicken coop and we have six chickens.

Beautiful!!! I'm sure your chicks will be very happy!!!

 

[kenmlang]

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Still needs a lock and extra chicken wire on the screen door, but they're pretty happy!

Coop looks great! I don't mean to knock anything y,all did, but I see 1 potential problem. It looks to me like you live in a rural area. This means you will have predator problems, such as, racoons, skunks, oppossums, possibly foxes, and coyotes. All of these animals can tear chicken wire open fairly quickly. I know hardware cloth is expensive, but it will, maybe not keep them out all together, but will slow them long enough for you to chase them off or send them to meet their maker.

I build chicken coops and runs as a side job, and have built about 25 coop/runs in the past year, and use nothing but 1/2" mesh hardware cloth, and have not had a complaint, pertaining to predators yet. I have 2 coop/runs of my own, that a couple of coyotes and some grey foxes tried to get into, and couldn't. Gave me just enough time to take care of them.

 

[Ilene]

Very informative. Thank you so much.
Sounds like when they get a little older, they might become little monsters.

 

[WthrLady]

My blog is FINALLY up and running. It will take me several days to get the coop build up and running, as it will take several posts, filled with photos, to cover it all! So hang in there. My DH is also a co-poster, so craziness abounds!

http://dunrovinstation.BlogSpot.com

 

[bruceha2000]

Coop looks great! I don't mean to knock anything y,all did, but I see 1 potential problem. It looks to me like you live in a rural area. This means you will have predator problems, such as, racoons, skunks, oppossums, possibly foxes, and coyotes. All of these animals can tear chicken wire open fairly quickly. I know hardware cloth is expensive, but it will, maybe not keep them out all together, but will slow them long enough for you to chase them off or send them to meet their maker.

I build chicken coops and runs as a side job, and have built about 25 coop/runs in the past year, and use nothing but 1/2" mesh hardware cloth, and have not had a complaint, pertaining to predators yet. I have 2 coop/runs of my own, that a couple of coyotes and some grey foxes tried to get into, and couldn't. Gave me just enough time to take care of them.

Since I don't need to mention the 1/2" hardware cloth issue

Overall it looks like a super job. Nice size, good rain and sun protection. I will add that you want more cleats on the ramp. 3" spacing with 3/4" cleats is good. Otherwise they can't get a grip and will slide. You don't have a lot of height there, I would consider a couple of cinder blocks side by side as a single step. The birds will have no problem even at their current size and it will be easier for people as well since you won't have to step around/remove the ramp to use the door.

Inside I think you want some height on the sides and front of the nest box, the birds nestle down and throw the nest material around. Probably an access bar some inches out as well. And it could be a bit lower for easy access. 18" is good headroom for large fowl so the birds can use the floor space under the box. You MIGHT find that you need to add dividers if the birds get fussy about "personal space" while laying. Some of mine do, some don't. Not a worry for you for a few months based on the size of your birds. I would actually cover or remove the nest box for now so the birds don't get in the habit of using it to sleep in.

Be aware that if your storage shelves aren't full of stuff, you will have chickens exploring (and pooping on) them.

What is the roost plan?

 

[Chipper Chicken]

My blog is FINALLY up and running.  It will take me several days to get the coop build up and running, as it will take several posts, filled with photos, to cover it all!  So hang in there.  My DH is also a co-poster, so craziness abounds!

http://dunrovinstation.BlogSpot.com

The Oodalolly Egghouse is awesome!! I am looking forward to the build pics on its own coop page here on BYC, you guys did a fantastic job! I just read your new blog as well, very nice. Love the history/ background of your farm.