Run build help

[TwistedTayy]

We have a large shed that we are planning on turning into a multi pen coop that has a large run built off one side and a smaller one built off the other. There are currently ducks living in it now so I’d like to build the small run first so that the ducks can move into it and live there for the summer until we finish the rest. The shed gets HOT here in the summer. It has clear corrugated panels on the roof so it could be used by the previous owners as a greenhouse/potting shed (but honestly it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to be of any use).

Anyways, I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of any videos, posts or pages that would be helpful in figuring out how to tie in the run with the metal siding on the shed and also the best way to predator proof it. The shed has a dirt floor and brick foundation that rats have tunneled under over the winter… those are our main predators besides hawks (but we also have foxes coyotes bobcats and dogs). I have a plan on allowing cats into the coop while keeping them separated from the birds BUT obviously it would be better to begin by keeping them out.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Tayy would be very helpful to let us see some pix of shed. Also highs and lows in temps in seasons. Is shed electrified? Will chickens be confined or free range.
My initial thoughts would be to create lots of ventilation to move air out of shed, even using fans?
Possibly covering clear panels. I hope wiser ones will chime in here and offer more suggestions for you.
@Wyorp Rock
@aart , @3KillerBs , @rosemarythyme

 

[mowin]

Calling @3KillerBs

 

[TwistedTayy]

There is electric in the shed and we will be covering the clear panels. That is part of the “shed Reno” I’m just looking for guidance on the run. I already have fans in there. It gets HOT. The ducks will be fine living in a covered secure run for the summer. We are in Georgia. It was 90 today and will continue to be hot until October so there’s plenty of time to sort out the shed.

This is the side that will have the small run where the ducks will go at night until the shed is completed. Ducks free range in the day and chickens have their own separate coops.

Plan is for it to run to the plum tree. The big run on the other side will run the length of the building.

 

[Happy hen lover]

Oh I like the shed! Great structure. When people talk about the coops in the south many make them open air coops( 1 side is taken out and covered with hardware cloth) I would see about bringing cool air in low on bldg safely and exhausting it up high? They say you need 1 SQ foot of ventilation per bird maybe more down south. I am guessing you could put in soffet under roof overhang.
Is their any shade for proposed run? You could add shade cloth, to top, and hens will be out at sunrise in spring , summer and fall. Lots freeze blocks of ice for hot days. We put in mister for our girls. Some give them wading pools ( mine won't go near pans of water but out water on dirt! They go crazy for it.

 

[seth22]

If money isn't an issue, I'd recommend dog kennel fencing. You can build it high enough for you to walk under and place a roof on it for both shade and protection from the elements and predators. We bought one from tractor supply that came with roof panels and a tarp. You can obviously build your own also. It might help if you add plywood to the shed roof to help regulate the temperature.

One thing I've learned about predators the hard way, we lost 10 out of 15 chickens our first year to coons and owls, they will use any opening regardless of size to get in. For the run, don't weed eat around, it will help keep snakes out. Make sure there is a permanent roof.

Also throw in a big branch or two for the chickens to roost on outside.

 

[3KillerBs]

As a fellow resident of the Steamy Southeast, I'd advise pulling the siding off at least one wall of the shed to create an Open Air coop and extending the run off that.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Are you wanting a roofed run that's fully-enclosed?

That's easily done as a post and beam structure. The advantage of setting posts in the ground is that you can more easily bring the wire to the ground and take it out to make an anti-dig apron.

The advantage of putting the posts on deck blocks is termite-resistance.

The structure of the run doesn't have to be tied to the structure of the shed as long as the wire itself doesn't have any gaps in the connection.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Tayy would be very helpful to let us see some pix of shed. Also highs and lows in temps in seasons. Is shed electrified? Will chickens be confined or free range.
My initial thoughts would be to create lots of ventilation to move air out of shed, even using fans?
Possibly covering clear panels. I hope wiser ones will chime in here and offer more suggestions for you.
@Wyorp Rock
@aart , @3KillerBs , @rosemarythyme

The framing would be helped by seeing pics of the existing structure.

The rats will be fixed by adding skirting, or digging down deeper than the existing brick work and adding verticle metal skirting, then re-bury.

Depending on what else we see, the best solution **MIGHT** be removing the existing clear roof panels, restructuring the roof to add weather sheltered undear eave ventilation, a new roof (reflective corrugated metal?) over the existing shed, and repurposing the clear roof panels over a portion of the run, to extend the weather protected areas around the doors to the shed.

But we REALLY need to see it.

 

[seth22]

I would definitely have to say skirts are a great idea. That's something I still haven't done and regret it. Dang chickens like scratch at the edge if I dont let them out and are making holes on the inside of the coop.
Also, insulation of some kind is a good idea for the coop. After spending a yr in the desert working in metal shipping containers, I can tell you it's not the best thing for animals, or people. It sucks.

 

[aart]

I would definitely have to say skirts are a great idea. That's something I still haven't done and regret it. Dang chickens like scratch at the edge if I dont let them out and are making holes on the inside of the coop.

Skirts on the outside are for predator prevention.
Pavers, boards, logs, etc are good on the inside to keep chickens from digging out under the outer skirt.