Quarantine Coop and Run From an Old Dog Kennel

[adambeal]

I have a nice coop my wife built here:






But you can see up at the top of the yard behind the coop near the woods is an old dog run/fence. I want to make this old dog run into a temporary/quarantine coop for introducing new birds or isolating sick or broody birds.My plan was to wrap the bottom of this run with some more wire and a skirt then stretch chicken wire over the top to keep predators from getting in that way. My problem as you will see from the pics is there is a lot of space around the door that I am not sure how to secure while still being able to get in and out easily. There will be a gap at the top of the door and around the edges.









I need to predator proof around this door. I have thought about wrapping the front with chicken wire that I would have to unhook before opening the door. Also thought about putting a big piece of wood or something across the front but both of those ideas would keep me from accessing easily. Any creative ideas/thoughts? I figured there must be others on this board who have made coops out of old dog runs like this. The master builder (my wife Amanda) is out of town working on the appalachain trail and I need help. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Adam

 

[adambeal]

Still need help any thoughts? What about removing the door and putting a different one in?

 

[jetdog]

I would frame it in with wood, either 2 by's or 1 bys, screw it together and with some metal srcews I would screw it into the poles on the outside.

 

[3riverschick]

. My problem as you will see from the pics is there is a lot of space around the door that I am not sure how to secure while still being able to get in and out easily. There will be a gap at the top of the door and around the edges.









I need to predator proof around this door. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Adam

Hi Adam,
That's quite a challenge. Hum.... I think if it was me, I would dismount the gate. ( or just leave it
there and make the new gate so it swings inward).Then make 2 quan.
2x4 panels collected in an "L" shape. Face one of the panels with chicken wire. Mount a chicken
wire faced gate within the other. Place the "L" shaped panel arrangement inside the run and in
front of where the old door used to be and find a way to secure the panels to the existing chainlink
fence. .I think Rube Goldberg would be impressed. But with the run as aged and misshapen as this,
I think it will work.
Best,
Karen

 

[adambeal]

Thanks for the help guys I think I will do a bit of both build out a more complete wooden frame behind this fence door and maybe a second door opening in. Doesn't have to be perfect just needs to get me through for a bit on the rare occasion I have some girls in quarantine.