post your chicken coop pictures here!

[valarok]

Yep, i will share a step by step guide.

 

[bigmrg74]

If the run is predator proof, the chickens will be fine. Mine had access to the run 24/7, summer, winter and the door was always open even on windy days. They were healthy and happy for 4 years. I just found vinyl coated Deer fence in 6' roles that will keep all predators out. Only climbing predators need to be discouraged. My plan is 1" chicken wire over all with deer fence on the lower 6 feet with concrete footer to attach the bottom of the fence to. The only predator who could cause trouble then would be coons. I can always add heavier wire if i see any damage. Getting started on it tomorrow. Got to hurry, chicks are outgrowing the brood pens.

Where did you find that 6 foot deer fencing at?? I've been using some 5 foot stuff as a portable fence for around my tractor and I would like to find another roll or 2 of it to make the pen bigger and perhaps have a pen for the meat birds I want to do this year. All I've seen around here is just the 7 foot stuff.

 

[gpeters3]

Where did you find that 6 foot deer fencing at??  I've been using some 5 foot stuff as a portable fence for around my tractor and I would like to find another roll or 2 of it to make the pen bigger and perhaps have a pen for the meat birds I want to do this year.  All I've seen around here is just the 7 foot stuff.  

At lowe's. I still will.use the 1" chicken wire inside to keep them safe because the deer wire is 2x4" mesh. No predator can get through it but can reach through it to ha4m them.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wait is it deer fence or welded wire or? Is there a difference? Because we hsd some 4 foot 2x4 welded wire and i wondered if its the same

 

[FarmerPhronc]

Husband wants to build a 8'x8' box coop 4' tall and to have a peaked roof that half folds down for easy cleaning. I'm going to suggest 1/4' hardware cloth for the bottom for cleanup and it will sit on 6 cinder blocks for air flow.

I saw a picture where someone had a peaked roof that opened like that and had installed the nest boxes in the other side. That way you can collect eggs, clean up and refresh bedding easily.

If you mean using 1/4" hardware cloth as the floor of the coop; I wouldn't. I think nails can get caught, there is a risk of causing bumblefoot, and poop simply won't fall through it. It would be more trouble than it is worth.
(perhaps I'm not understanding what you mean?)

I use hardware cloth on the floor of my coop. It's 1 inch by 1/2 inch. I have to agree the poop just isn't gonna fall through. I take a long handled wire grill brush to clean it takes me less than 5 minutes.

While I agree with setting it up for airflow you may want to consider setting it up high enough for the chickens to get under. Provides them with shade and protection from weather.



Please keep in mind this is their roost area, they are only in here to roost at night and have access to the nesting boxes.

 

[bruceha2000]

I need to add décor now. Also im going to install a auto open/close door.

I'd go for the door first, THEN the decor. The chickens will appreciate the door, as will you. But the chickens don't give a squawk about decor.

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It pretty much doesn't drop through 1/2" hardware cloth either, that is what my broody buster is made from. I don't think there is any "drop through" surface that should be used as a permanent floor. Even if the openings were big enough for any size chicken poop to drop through, the birds aren't going to aim for the holes and you'll have it stuck to the wire anyway. You are better off with a poop tray or hammock or deep bedding or true deep litter all over a liquid resistant floor.

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Yep, they like to come in this house in the fall/winter. Not thousands but hundreds. I prefer them to the ants we had at the prior house

My older daughter "keeps" some as pets. What that means is when one lands on the table it gets moved to a small plate off the table with some little bit of sugary stuff. A drop or 3 of milk, a cut up grape, whatever. They are pretty funny to watch. They will race around the edge of the plate, then they will go down to the food and sit their with their faces in it. For days.

 

[bruceha2000]

Quote:
Why? If the fire happened at night, the birds would have been locked in the coop whether you had an auto door or not right? And if it happened during the day, the auto door would have been open. I'm sure I'm missing the details here.

 

[junebuggena]

Why? If the fire happened at night, the birds would have been locked in the coop whether you had an auto door or not right? And if it happened during the day, the auto door would have been open. I'm sure I'm missing the details here.

If I remember correctly, she was sick and forgot to close up the coop.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Why? If the fire happened at night, the birds would have been locked in the coop whether you had an auto door or not right? And if it happened during the day, the auto door would have been open. I'm sure I'm missing the details here. 

That's what I thought too. And I think normally they do lock them up but I think they said they were so sick or out of it ir whatever that they forgot to shut the door and that's what saved the adultd which I don't think it was an accident that happened, like to us it is but God did it.on purpose thing if you believe that but that's irrelevant, anyway. Auto door or no auto door they would have been locked in anyway had they not forgot to shut the door. Some people leave the door open all the time even at night if they have a predator proof run or mild climate but then I guess you wouldn't need or have an auto door in that case. Anyway, I realize they're upset over the birds but I really don't think an auto door has anything to do with it. Unless maybe they mean with an auto door it's impossible to forget to shut the door since forgetting to shut the door is what saved their adult birds

 

[ShrekDawg]

If I remember correctly, she was sick and forgot to close up the coop.

Yeah I think you are right so maybe she means with an auto door it is impossible to forget to shut the coop door which is what saved the birds?? But I think it has less to do with the door and more to do with the heat source plus if a fire didn't do it a predator could have. But i do see the point