Rehabing an old coop: need encouragement, advice!

[ranchhand]

It's going to be a great rustic coop!

 

[mayden]

You really don't have that much to do. I would put some more planks on to finish the siding and put battens over the gaps between the siding. (Battens are simply 1X2's rough sawn to match your siding. Most people wanting coops would love to have something like that to start with. In fact right now for the summer you don't even have to do the battens. Just finish the some of the open areas and make it secure against predators. Good Luck!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Howdy neighbor!!!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

On another note, I think that you have a good start there! I'd seriously suggest an LGD or TWO! Anatolians are the way to go, IMO. There is a man over there that is getting into breeding them so that's a possibility. I was up at 4:30am shooting at the two coyotes who were in the yard! And they are brazen, too--that was with three Aussies (neighbor's dogs) my 1/2 anatolian and then I let my Borzoi out and they headed for the hills! LOL

Where did you move from?

The Methow Valley has A LOT of coyotes, cougar and bear--and now, WOLVES. My hubby and I have heard them twice now. It's an eery noise that makes you get goosebumps...especially when the coyotes and dogs are howling/barking making a racket and then the wolves howl and everything is immediately quiet!

I'd also suggest using hog wire panels wrapped in hardware cloth for your runs, along with a pop hole door that you can lock them in with at night. Are you going to insulate it at all?

I lost a lot of birds last winter when we had that week of -10 to -20 weather...I suppose there is a reason some breeds are rare! We've doubled the size of my coop and insulated it so hopefully, we won't have that issue anymore...we're also working on a wintering place for the waterfowl--they were the main cause of lost feet with my chickens due to their splashing in the waterers...

 

[North Casceggs]

Quote:
Howdy to you too neighbor! We've been in the Methow since 2004. We most recently moved from Mazama, where winter seemed to last about 8 months. Before that we came from the Wenatchee Valley so were well acquainted with all the pests we have on the east side--except for the wolves that is. I wish we could get a dog, but I don't see that happening in the immediate future

I'd be great to have another family member on the lookout!

Not sure if we are going to insulate. There's some insulation already in the roof, but it needs torn out. I'm worried about getting another cold snap like we got last winter. That was so cold. I suppose if worse got to worse we could make a space in our insulated garage to keep them at night. But for now, like one pp said, I'm just going to take the whole project one baby step at a time...

 

[acbear93]

Looks like you have an awesome starting point with LOTS of potential..I am looking forwards to pictures of the end result when you get there....You are soooo lucky, that is way nicer then the shed we started with....I dont think the chickens really care what it looks like, as long as they have shelter, and you have something real good to start with, its not that bad of a fixer upper, Good Luck with it!!!

 

[Maryallison]

Wow..I agree with everyone and your coop is gonna be all that and a bag of chips!!!