Racoons

[Heidi haller]

Our coop is very well insulated under the roof. It stays cool in there in the summer and warm enough (with two hearing lamps, which we monitor with a wireless thermometer. We can always see the temp of the coop with a display that is in the house) in the winter. The are two windows that are not pictured here. We do only have chicken wire on the smaller run (we added the larger section this spring) which we know is problematic. We are buying hardware mesh and will be putting that up as soon as possible and we will be burying fencing at the base of our run.

 

[Folly's place]

Approximately where do you live? Generally heating the coop is not needed in winter temps, just having heated waterers.
Mary

 

[Heidi haller]

Mary,

We have not had any issues with condensation. We put a lot of time and effort into making sure our chickens would be well protected especially with the cold months we see here in Michigan. We do put stuff up in the winter for the wind, as we are in a very flat farm area and there is not much to cut the wind. I can definitely put some other shrubs and trees out in the run for more shade. Thank you for your suggestions! We want to ensure that our chickens are happy, healthy, and safe. Which I know they aren't feeling safe right now, so we need to resolve that issue ASAP.

 

[Folly's place]

Your coop is nice! Just need to fix the run situation. Plantings in the run are difficult, but on the outside will be nice. Netting or something over the unroofed run will help with raptors too. Chickens hate snow, so they may not spend much time in that area unless you are shoveling it in winter.
Raccoons are miserable little beasts!!!
Mary

 

[Howard E]

Good job then on the insulation. Metal makes a durable exterior, but does need to be insulated.....provided you use the right type. Fiberglass batts being the wrong type.....it will harbor rats.

But do reconsider on burying the wire. Lay it flat on the ground. It will hold up better, is 10X easier to install and just as effective, if not more so.

Theory of the apron is digging predators will always start their dig at the base of vertical and horizontal. With an apron laid out flat on the ground (again, studry wire like 14 gauge in a 1" x 2" size), varmint hits the wire and is immediately defeated. They may cast up and down and start new digs, but always the same result. They never figure out to back up and tunnel their way in. (rats will, but you don't have those.......yet).

To install the apron, just scalp the grass down tight to the dirt with a lawn mower.....then lay the wire down, and then pin it down with landscape staples. In a matter of days, grass will recover and grow up through the apron. In a week or so, it will disappear and you will never know it's there. You do have to install a vertical leg, which is why I suggested using the 4' wire, with 2' vertical and 2' horizontal.

 

[Heidi haller]

Howard E and Mary,

Thank you so much! We will do the apron style like you suggested (I believe that is what my husband wanted to do but I just explained it wrong). I am definitely kicking myself for not putting the wire out earlier along the base of the run. I will transplant some of my shrubs to the outside of the run to give my ladies and pesky rooster some more shade.

 

[Heidi haller]

Approximately where do you live? Generally heating the coop is not needed in winter temps, just having heated waterers.
Mary

We live in Michigan. We get really high winds that drops the temps well below 0 and we do not have many trees on our property to protect the coop. We know we don't necessarily need them, but we want to ensure they are not too cold when it drops really low.

 

[Folly's place]

Blocking the wind on the west and north sides makes all the difference! We put up two layers of vinyl sheeting as windbreak in the winter, leaving the upper foot or so open for ventilation. Looks homely, but it's a chicken coop, and it does work very well. Our coop/ run combination has solid walls on the north side, solid wall on the wet with windows we close in winter, and still lots of upper ventilation for the flock.
Mary