post your chicken coop pictures here!

[Intheswamp]

I hope people realize that as many of us make comments and give constructive criticism that we are in no means "picking at you" or trying to make your coops or designs look bad. We are simply pointing out things that may improve the coop/run, that may enhance the security of your chickens, or that may simply enhance your enjoy of the chickens and your work within the structures confines. These are our thoughts and opinions. There is no ill will involved and no intent to lessen the hours of time, energy, and finances that you've invested in construction.

From the smallest dog-crate coop to the giant double monitor houses, it is all great housing for different styles and abilities of people. In constructing your coops shoot for health and security for the chickens and for comfortable interaction from the flock master and a nice backyard chicken flock should emerge.

But, even with the finest coop and run, others (including myself) may just have opinions and ideas about how to "improve" it. Some of those ideas might actually be worth considering, too!

Other ideas, well, it's up to the coop owner to use'em or file'em.

Best wishes to all (to the chickens, too!),
Ed

 

[Intheswamp]

I can't build it taller, has to be under the fence line.

I will see how the snow does. Luckily that pocket of the yard is south facing and any snow mm is usually gone in a day or two.

The walls are built up.to accommodate deep litter.

HOA, I presume, regarding the fence/coop limitation? I understand. I can't remember, did you mention that you will be making it a covered top? If a covered top, be sure and go for a lightweight cover so it will be as light as possible. How much snow would you have loading the hinged top?...will need to build to handle the load. If you're not in a heavy snow area you might just build it lightweight 1x2 construction with hardware cloth...wintertime simply cover with some clear plastic to keep snow out.

Good move on building the walls up for deep litter. With deep litter I wouldn't be very concerned about putting a solid roof over the run...chickens need sunshine just like we do (unless, of course, your in a blazingly hot climate). As long as the terrain is conducive to draining away rainwater the deep litter should handle getting wet during the summer. The plastic mentioned above in the wintertime would keep snow from building up so the chickens will have a protected area to come out in.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[aim0474]

Yep, HOA.

The top next is going to be those clear lightweight corrugated panels set at an angle so snow melts away. Because of the trees and the greenhouse there, it won't get a lot of snow. I got the clear ones so they would get sunshine.

I can also attach the panels to the outer wall if snow build up becomes a problem in the winter in the door track.

It will be a learning process for sure.

 

[Intheswamp]

It sounds like you have a plan going. As for the top, I'd be sure and have a least two latches spaced something like 1/3 and 2/3's down the length of the roof so that raccoons can't lift a corner up and squeeze in. Naturally will depend on how rigid the roof frame is, but a lightweight frame may allow some flex/twist. I would also limit the roof overhang over the near, non-hinged edge of the run...I know that if it was me that I would be constantly bumping my head on it when I walked up to the run while looking down at the chickens...

Ed

 

[junkman56]

Two rules of thumb/toes/ears/whatever....

4 square feet per LF chicken in the coop.
10 square feet per LF chicken in the run.

You are a little shy on space in the coop according to "the rule". Some people report good results with a more dense population than recommended. Other people report having to provide more space than the 4 square feet to make things work out. Chickens are similar to people in that none are the same....but, a generality and an average can be attained for certain traits and requirements. That is what the 4 square feet "rule" does...it takes a figure that has been found to work in *most* instances. See how your chickens do, they may be fine. Have an alternate "Plan B" in case it doesn't work out, though. Your space works out to being good for 7.5 LF chickens...it's better to err on the side of giving them more room than the rule states but you are right there at it....see what happens.

The run works out with plenty of room for eight chickens...for a confined run. Are you going to be using deep litter inside the run? The grass will be gone in a few weeks and the bare ground will get rather messy.

It looks like you have a lot of ground outside the run...will the chickens be allowed to free range a good bit? Free ranging will do wonders for their health, in keeping the run and coop cleaner, in producing some really nice eggs, and will help keep the peace inside the confines of the coop and run when they have to be confined to it.

A couple of other things... You might want to round off the edges of your roost poles/boards. The sharp edges *may* contribute to feet problems. Also, the recommended (don't you just love all the recommendations! ) ventilation is to have one square foot of permanent ventilation per LF chicken. This means that there is a square foot of vent per bird that will never be closed...it allows moisture and ammonia out of the coop and is really important to the chickens' respiratory health.

Btw, what type of predators do you have in your area? Got any dogs? Neighbor dogs?

Nice job on the coop!
Ed

Edited: Removed mention of sliding door hanging on deep litter....wrong coop.

I have a dog and a cat, there are bears, raccoon's, possum's, coyotes, a little bit of all the predators
I also added more24/7 ventilation

 

[junkman56]

I hope people realize that as many of us make comments and give constructive criticism that we are in no means "picking at you" or trying to make your coops or designs look bad. We are simply pointing out things that may improve the coop/run, that may enhance the security of your chickens, or that may simply enhance your enjoy of the chickens and your work within the structures confines. These are our thoughts and opinions. There is no ill will involved and no intent to lessen the hours of time, energy, and finances that you've invested in construction.

From the smallest dog-crate coop to the giant double monitor houses, it is all great housing for different styles and abilities of people. In constructing your coops shoot for health and security for the chickens and for comfortable interaction from the flock master and a nice backyard chicken flock should emerge.

But, even with the finest coop and run, others (including myself) may just have opinions and ideas about how to "improve" it. Some of those ideas might actually be worth considering, too!

Other ideas, well, it's up to the coop owner to use'em or file'em.

Best wishes to all (to the chickens, too!),
Ed

I am happy to get constructive criticism, building a coop and raising chickens is a first for me, so I want to get it right.

 

[Intheswamp]

Unless the cat is some type of overgrown monster I doubt you will have much trouble from it except for possibly as a danger to baby chicks. The other predators (including your dog) are all possible dangers. Be aware that hardware cloth will not stop a frenzied dog nor some large coons from tearing through. Have you installed an apron around the perimiter?

 

[MeepBeep]

With deep litter I wouldn't be very concerned about putting a solid roof over the run...chickens need sunshine just like we do (unless, of course, your in a blazingly hot climate).

Nothing wrong with a solid roof over a run, neither humans nor chickens or any animal or plant for that matter 'needs sun'... Yes, some need light of varying wavelengths for production of this or that but it does not need to derive from the sun, artificial light can do in a total absence of sunlight...But, regardless a solid roof alone is not going to block all the sun so they would still get light...

 

[aim0474]

The roof is going to be the clear corrugated Poly panels. So they will have protection from rain and snow and still get sunlight. There are several places, like the swing pocket, that will be mostly shade during the day.

I built this run as a chicken playground using all the wonderful data from all you users on this site. Thanks so much for posting so those of us new to chickens an learn!

 

[junkman56]

Unless the cat is some type of overgrown monster I doubt you will have much trouble from it except for possibly as a danger to baby chicks. The other predators (including your dog) are all possible dangers. Be aware that hardware cloth will not stop a frenzied dog nor some large coons from tearing through. Have you installed an apron around the perimeter?

no I did not put an apron around the perimeter yet I plan on putting some hardware cloth around the run and then put some kinda raised beds on top of it, but I'm really not sure right now