Square Foot Chicken Coop

[Mahonri]

great coop for 4 hens!

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
Not trying to be cranky, I don't even HAVE chickens yet, but I also live in a city... smack between two very large ones (Ft Worth and Dallas) and we've got critters galore! Possums, Skunks, Coons, and even Foxes!! Not to mention neighborhood dogs and cats. I've even got a pic on my camera right now of a big fat possum cruising the backyard fence at NOON!! I'm researching like a fiend to come up with a coop/run that can protect against all those beasties. My advice *passes grain of salt* would be to call your local animal control and ask them what critters are known to be about. Of all the folks, they'd be the ones to know if your area really is (chicken) predator free, since they're the ones called to pick up the varmits in homes, yards, and the ones hit on the road. And, don't forget that new construction can have them swarming you. Just because there aren't a lot right this minute doesn't mean that if they put in a Walmart down the street next month that there won't be then.

Then again, I'm a paranoid nut, so feel free to disregard.

 

[Suechick]

Quote:
Beautiful coop!
I think that you should leave the nest box as is. If you try to put in dividers it will probably be too small for your girls to get in and be comfortable. I've heard that a single large nest box is fine for upwards of 10 hens, so you should be fine with that one.

 

[bfeusner]

It is definitely heavier than I originally planned but with two relatively strong guys it could still be moved without too much trouble...I currently plan on just using the coop on the ground until I complete the square foot gardens and my fence this spring and then I can let the girls free range during the day...I haven't had any problems with predators so far *knock on wood* with either of my dog kennel run, or my run/coop that I built for my younger chicks which is also made out of chicken wire...I am contemplating adding hardware cloth to the bottom especially once I complete the run that will connect to this coop for the girls until I get the yard fenced in...I think I will go ahead and leave the nesting box open as I think it will make it easier to clean also...Thanks for all the comments!