South Texas Coop and Run

[TexasEggRancher]

Be sure to close up that gap at the bottom of the run, all the way around.
Apron is a must...rats will come.

Oh yeah , I am getting the gaps at the bottom closed in as well as a apron/wire cloth.
Will get the new vents done too. Thanks

 

[aart]

Do yall think I should make it an open window covered with hardware cloth , but also have doors that can close if it is really cold ?

Maybe just top hinge(Yaayyy more hinges and latches!!) a big part of the wall,
above and maybe around the pop door,
swing it up under the roof most the year and drop it down in 'winter'.

 

[TexasEggRancher]

Maybe just top hinge(Yaayyy more hinges and latches!!) a big part of the wall,
above and maybe around the pop door,
swing it up under the roof most the year and drop it down in 'winter'.

Well , worked a little yesterday evening on adding more ventilation. This was about as much as I could add due to the interior framing. It's gonna have to work. Need to do a little trim work around the windows and of course add some fancy hinges and latches. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Kiki]

WOOT!

 

[007Sean]

Great looking and functional coop!

 

[yoopersjd]

I am in the concho valley area, on top of conglomerate limestone. There is no digging of post holes, you can drill and jackhammer. But I took a more reasonable route. Neighbor has a big pile of wasting away mountain cedar (Juniper) logs. I cleaned them up with a chainsaw, and made a very large wooden frame for the poultry netting. With all the ferral cats and dogs in my area have not a lost a bird yet. Here are a few pics of my totally enclosed run and coop. Total monetary investment in this coop and run is $100. Used all reclaimed lumber, logs, and odds and end roofing materal. Only thing paid for was the chicken wire and wire staples.

 

[deepbluesea]

Wow--gorgeous build! It's hot where I am, as well. Good ideas.

 

[TexasEggRancher]

Very Nice!!
That's a lotta latchery on the screen/solid doors!

Gonna add anti-dig apron all around?
Good examples of apron installation, tho I'd not recommend 1/2" HC...go with 14ga 1x2 or 1x1, will hold up much longer and is easier to lay flat.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Well , I finished the door to the run , a few more hinges and latches.

Got the apron installed also , gonna fill in with dirt and close up all the gaps and plant grass on top of the apron.

Side view

 

[aart]

Got the apron installed also , gonna fill in with dirt and close up all the gaps and plant grass on top of the apron.

You don't need to plant grass, what's there will grow right up thru the apron...
..and the chickens will eat and scratch up anything inside the run wall....maybe even dig under the apron.

 

[Kiki]

LOOKS great.
Rats are still going to be able to get in your apron though.
The holes are too big to keep rats out.