Questions about runs/coops

[angiegirl]

I am a NEWBIE, so please be patient with me if I ask some crazy questions. I am asking only because I don't know!
we are wanting to start raising chickens, I want them to have room to roam around. So I suggested to my Hubby that we use the old Dog lot we already have set up, just modify.
It is a 20ft X 10ft lot ( which would be the run) it is now enclosed with wire but there is a 3" gap that predators can sneak in so we are going to also add the chicken netting wire. There is also a dog house there that is huge. Is it possible to use it for nesting/coop area? Does everyone make their nesting/coop areas off the ground because of predators? If not, why is all the ones I see off the ground?
Like I said I am really new and just trying to lay out a game plan in my head before I run off and buy chicks..
TIA
Ang

 

[Dingo]

The dog house would probly work if it is large enough for them. I'm not sure about what you mean by off the ground, my coop is elevated because it's basically a small shed with no foundation. I have had some scrap wood coops that sat directly on the ground, they'd last a year or two before becoming soggy and rotten, that coupled with the fact that my birds get locked up at night for their own safety made me abandon ground level coops. The nest boxes can be on the floor of the coop, just depends on where you are comfortable with.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If not, why is all the ones I see off the ground?

If it's too small to walk into, you either raise if off the ground or crawl on your knees to gather eggs and clean it out

there is a 3" gap that predators can sneak in so we are going to also add the chicken netting wire

Chicken wire keeps chickens IN
It doesn't keep ANYTHING out​

 

[chickerdoodle]

When you say wire what do you mean? Chicken wire will keep chickens in but NOT predators out. Welded wire and hardware cloth can keep out predators.

We have several reasons we made our henhouse 30 inches is off the ground.

One--ease of cleaning the henhouse! No bending for us!
Two--no place for predators or rodents to hide.
Three--can use under the henhouse for a covered area of the run. (We did actually cover our entire run but it still helps

)
Four--made it 30 inches off the ground so we could still get under the henhouse if we need to get a wayward egg, rake, or get a wayward hen.


Good luck with your chickies!

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Quote:
Recommend you put hardware cloth instead of chicken wire...also add an apron so something can not dig under to get in.

 

[fiddleblue]

(1) Make sure that the run is enclosed with 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch hardware cloth from zero to 3 ft in height to keep chickens from sticking heads through and strangling in entanglement dangers, or getting heads lopped off by predators. (2) Wire from 3 ft up can be 4 inch by 2 inch welded wire mesh. (3) Do not use chicken wire anywhere for the run. (4) Have a COVER (ceiling) for the run, also made of 4 inch by 2 inch welded wire, eventually installed. (5) Maybe get that doghouse up on posts so it is easier for you to access to clean out and gather eggs from. (Keep it on the ground if you can crawl in it okay...chickens won't mind). Maybe enlarge its door so you can crawl into it easily. (6) Build 1 nestbox per 3 chickens of size 14 inch by 14 inch by 16 inch deep, for them to lay eggs in, inside the doghouse if possible, outside may work too if sheltered. (7) Add roost to the doghouse inside...2 by 4 length that they can sit on to sleep at night. (8) Get chicken waterer and feeder to set up outside. Bring chicken feed inside at night so rats don't multiply in the vincinity.

 

[angiegirl]

Thank you all for all of that valuable info... To tell you how new I am, I didn't know there was a difference in chicken wire & hardware cloth & welded wire..LOL
Now I am starting to get a more clear picture about what I need to do. My thoughts are now to maybe raise the dog house up on post ( if not to heavy) and go from there. I think it would be fairly easy for me to maybe knock the back wall of the DH out and add on to it and add my roost & nest boxes. Since we are planning to get 4 chicks at first I am going to go ahead and build 2 nest boxes..
Now, when you say put the roost on the inside, dis you build one or maybe use a thick tree branch.. Just a little comfused about that!
TIA
Ang

 

[elmo]

Welcome to the forum! And please feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. The only silly question is the one we don't ask...