Small coop: where to put feed? Attracting nuisances i.e. raccoons.

[NatJ]

The coop is probably adequate for 6 hens IF they are NEVER shut into the house part, and IF they are in a climate where they can use the wire-fenced part all day (no extreme cold or wind.) So the manufacturer is sort-of right under certain very limited conditions.

If the chickens ever need to stay in the wood part (shut in at night because of predators, or choosing to stay in during the day because of bad weather), then that little house is only big enough for about 2 full-size chickens, maybe 4 bantams.

So how many chickens can live in that coop depends on how you view it. Either it's a nice-sized coop with great ventilation (wire walls) and a cute little nesting/sleeping cubby, or it's a tiny little coop (wood part) in a small run (wire part.)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Blocking off the nesting boxes: this is a genius idea! And I will hang the feeder, thanks for the suggestion! I wanted to avoid bringing the food in at night (extra work for me, hehe), but it is probably what I should do to deter pests.

x2 on all those.

Best way to avoid pests becoming a problem is to give them as few reasons as possible to break in, so by taking in the feed that gives them one less reason to break in.

Anti-dig apron is a good tool against any digging pest, so glad you're looking at installing that, along with raccoon proof upgrades to latches.

 

[lovesfarms]

I commend you for having this coop first, experience what you really need and want in your permanent coop and now building the real thing! We learn from experience! I too am getting a new coop. It's exciting!

 

[alknoll]

@aart et. al:

An idea I had last night in considering my setup: converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached, this could work. Thinking about adding plywood to the sides. I wonder how the birds would use the coop within a coop haha, but it might be an economical winter solution while I build a bigger setup.

Happy birds this morning. One is not pictured. We also caught the culprit red handed last night, but he was no match for our new anti dig apron + locks on the coop!

 

[alknoll]

x2 on all those.

Best way to avoid pests becoming a problem is to give them as few reasons as possible to break in, so by taking in the feed that gives them one less reason to break in.

I did take the food in last night!

 

[lovesfarms]

@aart et. al:

An idea I had last night in considering my setup: converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached, this could work. Thinking about adding plywood to the sides. I wonder how the birds would use the coop within a coop haha, but it might be an economical winter solution while I build a bigger setup.

View attachment 2291486

Happy birds this morning. One is not pictured. We also caught the culprit red handed last night, but he was no match for our new anti dig apron + locks on the coop!

View attachment 2291488

@aart et. al:

An idea I had last night in considering my setup: converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached, this could work. Thinking about adding plywood to the sides. I wonder how the birds would use the coop within a coop haha, but it might be an economical winter solution while I build a bigger setup.

View attachment 2291486

Happy birds this morning. One is not pictured. We also caught the culprit red handed last night, but he was no match for our new anti dig apron + locks on the coop!

View attachment 2291488

You got a perfect picture! Guilty as charged! I like the picture of your chickens perched on a branch

 

[aart]

Happy birds this morning. One is not pictured. We also caught the culprit red handed last night, but he was no match for our new anti dig apron + locks on the coop!

Ha!! Looks like a young one?
I don't see a caribineer on the latch in pic.

converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached,

Maybe, if run is weather protected, because 4x6 still isn't huge for days long blizzards.

 

[rosemarythyme]

@aart et. al:

An idea I had last night in considering my setup: converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached, this could work. Thinking about adding plywood to the sides. I wonder how the birds would use the coop within a coop haha, but it might be an economical winter solution while I build a bigger setup.

Definitely worth trying to extend out the use of your coop/run unit for the time being. Couldn't clearly see how the coop is laid out but if you want some feedback on how to convert it, links to the product or a few clear photos of the coop overall would help.

 

[NatJ]

An idea I had last night in considering my setup: converting the entire coop + run into a coop. That would give me a 6x4 space big enough for 6 hens. Since we already have a larger run attached, this could work. Thinking about adding plywood to the sides. I wonder how the birds would use the coop within a coop haha, but it might be an economical winter solution while I build a bigger setup.

That could work, but why plywood? For just one winter, I would cover the walls with either tarp or clear plastic. You don't want a hot greenhouse, so not too much clear plastic, especially not on the sunniest side. But chickens do need light, so I suggest at least one side either clear plastic or no covering.

Plywood can keep out the weather, and the predators, and help support a structure: but you already have a suitably strong structure, and you already have hardware cloth on the walls to keep out predators. So it's just a matter of something wind-proof and water-proof, for which tarp is much cheaper than plywood.

we had a raccoon dig underneath the coop and spill all the food...
...reinforce my run (fox apron, cement block lining)

Given that the entire size is 6 x 4 feet, I suggest you either lay large paving stones on the ground in the entire area, or put a sheet of plywood on the ground inside. Yes, plywood will rot in time--but it should get you through this winter safely. The paving stones would last longer. Either way, just put plenty of bedding on top, and the birds can scratch and dig in that when they are not able to range outdoors.

(These are suggestions for getting through this coming winter. To convert it into a better coop for long-term use, other ideas might be better. But you said you plan to build a different coop soon, so I'm thinking temporary, easy, cheap, quick.)

 

[lovesfarms]

Ha!! Looks like a young one?
I don't see a caribineer on the latch in pic.


Maybe, if run is weather protected, because 4x6 still isn't huge for days long blizzards.
[/QUO
Years ago my chickens were free to run & they chose to go out in 0°. They didn't want to stay inside. In snow,I shoveled pathways.I made sure they had water, feed, warm oatmeal in the morning, warm water on their mash in the evenings& scratch grain. If they have a dry place out of the wind during the day, and they are used to being outside in winter, they choose to go out.My chickens use the The Coop mainly for night time protection and egg laying. Put protection over the run for winter. On the farm healthy animals choose to be outside in the winter, we made sure they can go inside of necessary.