Since we are all friends here, I feel comfortable announcing that I am an idiot.
I have a wonderful husband, but he is a bit of a procrastinator. I asked for help with building a run and coop before we got any chicks, but... nothing was done. Finally, I bought a 10' x 5' dog pen. I covered it with chicken wire. My daughter had 6 broilers for her ag project, and when they were old enough to go out into the pen, I bought four pullets. The broilers did great in the pen, with a smaller dog kennel covered with a piece of plywood, where I locked them in at night. About four days before they were to go to the fair, something dug under the gate and half the chickens disappeared, the other half had to be butchered.
So, I knew something different had to be done. I then took heavy-gauge 1/2" wire mesh, attached it to the sides of the pen, folded and going out to the side along the ground, all the way around. I put dirt on top of it, and planted flowers, etc, to pretty it up and have the roots lock it down. Then, I raised the roof from 4' to 8', using pvc to frame it. Looked great, and worked wonderfully! The weather had been great, so, other than a tarp slung over part of it to increase shade, I didn't worry about it too much. My pullets LOVED their new home!
I had a conference in Atlanta, and in preparation, I checked the weather. It was going to rain... A LOT... while I was gone. So, being the great chicken mommy I am, I tarped it well, giving them complete coverage over the top, plus a very secure, dry corner to hang out in when it poured. Still haven't gotten hubby to help with the coop.
The second day I was gone, hubby called. The chickens were doing great, but... the pen? Not so much. My idiocy had given them a nice, flat roof. The tons of rain we had received puddled on the roof, collapsing it. Now my poor chickens have broken pvc pipes going in every direction in their coop. They don't seem to mind, too much, anyway, and the pen is still predator proof, but HOLY COW it is horrible looking. And it still hasn't stopped raining.
I don't really need any advice, here, except maybe how to motivate my husband, but I figured I would share with you to make you smile, or groan... whichever seems appropriate.


I have a wonderful husband, but he is a bit of a procrastinator. I asked for help with building a run and coop before we got any chicks, but... nothing was done. Finally, I bought a 10' x 5' dog pen. I covered it with chicken wire. My daughter had 6 broilers for her ag project, and when they were old enough to go out into the pen, I bought four pullets. The broilers did great in the pen, with a smaller dog kennel covered with a piece of plywood, where I locked them in at night. About four days before they were to go to the fair, something dug under the gate and half the chickens disappeared, the other half had to be butchered.

So, I knew something different had to be done. I then took heavy-gauge 1/2" wire mesh, attached it to the sides of the pen, folded and going out to the side along the ground, all the way around. I put dirt on top of it, and planted flowers, etc, to pretty it up and have the roots lock it down. Then, I raised the roof from 4' to 8', using pvc to frame it. Looked great, and worked wonderfully! The weather had been great, so, other than a tarp slung over part of it to increase shade, I didn't worry about it too much. My pullets LOVED their new home!
I had a conference in Atlanta, and in preparation, I checked the weather. It was going to rain... A LOT... while I was gone. So, being the great chicken mommy I am, I tarped it well, giving them complete coverage over the top, plus a very secure, dry corner to hang out in when it poured. Still haven't gotten hubby to help with the coop.
The second day I was gone, hubby called. The chickens were doing great, but... the pen? Not so much. My idiocy had given them a nice, flat roof. The tons of rain we had received puddled on the roof, collapsing it. Now my poor chickens have broken pvc pipes going in every direction in their coop. They don't seem to mind, too much, anyway, and the pen is still predator proof, but HOLY COW it is horrible looking. And it still hasn't stopped raining.
I don't really need any advice, here, except maybe how to motivate my husband, but I figured I would share with you to make you smile, or groan... whichever seems appropriate.
