post your chicken coop pictures here!

[Sylvester017]

I agree! I live in rural Colorado lots of predators here. That's why I choose dog kennel panels and attached 1/2 inch hardware cloth running 2 ft up and 2 ft out. I also have 2 dogs that patrol the backyard from sun up till 10 or 11 PM. Though the wife and I have spotted predators close by none have yet dared to enter our fenced in backyard where the chicken coop is. I'm not sure if they sense the dogs or "Hey this guy has a rifle, he'll shoot us if we mess with his hens."

It's GOTTA be the rifle

.

 

[cabinchicky]

I agree! I live in rural Colorado lots of predators here. That's why I choose dog kennel panels and attached 1/2 inch hardware cloth running 2 ft up and 2 ft out. I also have 2 dogs that patrol the backyard from sun up till 10 or 11 PM. Though the wife and I have spotted predators close by none have yet dared to enter our fenced in backyard where the chicken coop is. I'm not sure if they sense the dogs or "Hey this guy has a rifle, he'll shoot us if we mess with his hens."

I don't have the large predators you do such as bear but here PMS stands for Pass My Shotgun. Coyotes, grrrrr.

 

[FarmerPhronc]

I don't have the large predators you do such as bear but here PMS stands for Pass My Shotgun. Coyotes, grrrrr.

LOL! It's not the bear, it's the fox, skunk, raccoon, coyote, and that's just a few of the 4 legged ones, here you best put something over the top of your run to keep out hawks, eagles and owls as well.

 

[TJordan]

we covered our first run years ago with a plastic, 1 inch square, poultry netting. It worked quite well. Just zip tie panels together to make it wide enough then to the fencing around the run. It's too flexible for the sides to keep chickens in, but worked great to keep wildlife out.

I secured my dog run baby run by putting thin sheets of water right plywood on top. When the new coop is built I will have to use that plywood but will be putting some plastic sheet paneling up at an angle for better runoff.

 

[ChickenChaser43]

A work in progress.

 

[FarmerPhronc]

We invested in a couple galvanized chicken treadle feeders -- not the kind that lift up to open but the kind that push inward into the feeder when they open -- I worry the lift-up lid models can come down on a chicken's neck but the inward opening model just pushes the chicken's head back out without falling on top of the head. Treadle feeders work by a chicken stepping on the bottom foot treadle and the feed door opens into the feed bin. A lightweight predator like pigeons, wild birds, rats, lizards, mice, are not heavy enough to activate the foot treadle. Treadle feeders from any manufacturer are not cheap but we had to choose what chicken expense was important to us. Some people make their own but what a pain to assemble - even the DIY models so we bought ours already assembled from ChickenCondos.com!

Those look sweet. I'm starting on a project to expand the run area so even more space for the moochers to get in. I'll be looking into these! Thanks for sharing Sylvester!

 

[Leigti]

Here is my coop. My friend built it for me. It is 4 x 8, and I have nine chickens which I know is maximum for the coop. They will free range during the day and go in the coop at night. I still have a couple little things to do. And I have a couple questions.
Is there a enough ventilation?
Do the spaces at the roofline need hardware cloth? If so what would be the easiest way to attach it?

 

[FarmerPhronc]

Here is my coop. My friend built it for me. It is 4 x 8, and I have nine chickens which I know is maximum for the coop. They will free range during the day and go in the coop at night. I still have a couple little things to do. And I have a couple questions.

MMM don't see the pic of your coop? As far as questions ask away that's what we're all here for, to share information.

 

[FarmerPhronc]

MMM don't see the pic of your coop? As far as questions ask away that's what we're all here for, to share information.

Never mind it must be server lag I see your pics now! However feel free to ask questions!

 

[gpeters3]

My latest pic with birds on all 3 rungs

Been waiting to see them on the top rung. Cought several up ther earlier but didnt have my phone.