post your chicken coop pictures here!

[gpeters3]

How do you keep from having 90* corners? I need to get my run ready for my eight babies and three hens.

Here are 2 ways. I used 12 inch wide by 4 feet plywood in all corners even around the brood pens. In this pic you can see the 5x7 tunnels i put in the brood pens so the chicks could come and go at will but the hens couldnt get in. I waited til they were large enough to fly and run so they could hop up on the roosts and run away from bullies. The bullying only lasted a few weeks and they quit chasing them but they still pecked at them when they got too close. They learn quickly who to stay away from.

 

[Intheswamp]

The chicks learn pretty quick that that entryway is their bomb shelter?

 

[StoneHillHens]

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

That's a nice set up you have must have some happy hens. I need to get the stuff for the new coop fast because I just brought 4 more hens home the other day so we are up to 21 hens and roosters in a 4x8 coop. And 6 are roosters that are still young that need to find homes.

 

[bigmrg74]

I almost have my new hoop coop done. Got it all wired up, will just need to do a few more minor things to it once I have my meat birds out of it, which should be next week. one thing I'm noticing is that the tarp has been rubbing on some of the wire. trying to think of a way to keep that from happening. thoughts??

 

[Sylvester017]

I almost have my new hoop coop done. Got it all wired up, will just need to do a few more minor things to it once I have my meat birds out of it, which should be next week. one thing I'm noticing is that the tarp has been rubbing on some of the wire. trying to think of a way to keep that from happening. thoughts??

We used a cheap bed sheet over our smaller canopy frame to keep the tarp from rubbing and tearing on some of the sharp parts of the frame. Next time we are considering a thicker denim fabric or canvas-type wide fabric roll under the tarp to keep the tarp from tearing so fast against the metal frame. There is a fabric that Sunbrella makes that's pretty sturdy and UV protected but also fabulously EXPENSIVE but it works too. We will probably wrap foam around the sharpest ends of the metal canopy frame to see if that will maybe help cushion the tarp from fraying. In any event we have to replace our canopy tarps at least once a year because the brutal sun and heavy winter winds shred the cheap tarps. Shredded tarp strings can hobble a chicken's feet so its absolutely necessary to change tarps before that occurs.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Of course..... but in the lower states which is where many of these discussions come up typically.... heat is not necessary.

Now ask me how to make chickens comfortable in 110-117 degree heat and I am on it like a duck on a bug....

It was 108 two days in a row here.. at my house add ten degrees to that.

deb

 

[gpeters3]

The chicks learn pretty quick that that entryway is their bomb shelter?

I kept the hens locked up in the coop til the chicks were used to coming and going through the tunnels. Once they were getting in and out i let the hens in and they got used to each other. The hens were outside the brood pens while the chicks were growing with hardware cloth between them so they were used to each other. Then i removed the tunnel covers, locked up the hens and let the chicks into the run, then let the hens in a little later. Havent had any issues. They all get along well now.

 

[Intheswamp]

<snip>
We will probably wrap foam around the sharpest ends of the metal canopy frame to see if that will maybe help cushion the tarp from fraying. In any event we have to replace our canopy tarps at least once a year because the brutal sun and heavy winter winds shred the cheap tarps. Shredded tarp strings can hobble a chicken's feet so its absolutely necessary to change tarps before that occurs.

Excellent thing to keep in mind when trying to provide for the chickens. Even the string out of a feed sack can do irreparable harm.

Ed

 

[Intheswamp]

I kept the hens locked up in the coop til the chicks were used to coming and going through the tunnels. Once they were getting in and out i let the hens in and they got used to each other. The hens were outside the brood pens while the chicks were growing with hardware cloth between them so they were used to each other. Then i removed the tunnel covers, locked up the hens and let the chicks into the run, then let the hens in a little later. Havent had any issues. They all get along well now.

It sounds like you had a good introduction between the chicks and hens. During this time did you ever seen the chicks dive for cover into the tunnel/shelter?

Ed