Strong All Weather Coops

[KyKyMarie77]

Hello! I live in Indiana where the weather is all over the place and am looking for a sturdy run as well as a coop that can withhold the weight of snow. I've been thinking about a chicken tractor with a coop on the side. Here is the one I've been looking at.
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Poul...ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=5

I'm thinking about the two unit spire one so there isn't a ton of weight on the flat part of the roof like on the other one. I'm also wanting the two unit so I can split it down the middle(with a small area in the front for entering) and have two breeding groups with a run and then attach a coop to the side with the ramp they can walk in and out of for warmth and shelter(The top will also have the tarp for shelter).
I am stuck on what coop would be the best to attach to this though! I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about what will not only last through winter but also provide protection and warmth for them.

Any help as well as maybe pics of your winter set up would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mfr422]

I live in indiana as well and looked at a lot of options and ended up building my own with a metal roof. Not sure where you are but I’m in the country so a secure enclosure was my top priority as I know I have a coyote presence. I started with the run and added the coop to it. Buried chicken wire doubled over around all sides of the run so it can’t be dug under. For winter I close the end vent and made windows to close the openings but still give them light, the roof is vented year round.

 

[KyKyMarie77]

I live in indiana as well and looked at a lot of options and ended up building my own with a metal roof. Not sure where you are but I’m in the country so a secure enclosure was my top priority as I know I have a coyote presence. I started with the run and added the coop to it. Buried chicken wire doubled over around all sides of the run so it can’t be dug under. For winter I close the end vent and made windows to close the openings but still give them light, the roof is vented year round.

I live in the country as well, but righ now they are all in a giant pasture that is wild animal proof minus hawks but we have never had problems with those. I would have these one free range in the pasture too, but I need to control the breeding.

How did you build both of those things? I originally planned on building a coop, but I'm still not sure since I need two for either side.

 

[Mfr422]

I live in the country as well, but righ now they are all in a giant pasture that is wild animal proof minus hawks but we have never had problems with those. I would have these one free range in the pasture too, but I need to control the breeding.

How did you build both of those things? I originally planned on building a coop, but I'm still not sure since I need two for either side.

I did a lot of research and YouTubing for ideas, made my plans and then built them. I have carpentry experience but it’s not difficult if you have a little know how. YouTube is great for projects like these! I found a metal supply place close to me on marketplace for the roofs. The run was built in sections and assembled in place. The coop I built in my shop and pulled out and put in place. My run is 8x16 and coop is 4x8.

 

[KyKyMarie77]

You totally don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but how much did it cost?
Also the problem I've been having is money limitations as well as I can't cement it into the ground because its not my actual property

 

[BarnyardChaos]

We use two old abandoned camper trailers. Gutted the insides, put vinyl on the floor, wire hardware cloth over the windows, built roosting bars, and a rack to hold 5-gal buckets for nests. The bigger camper is divided in half inside with a screen door. Birds roost and nest in the back half, where we made a pop-door with ramp for their access. Front half is used for feed and equipment storage, and a brooder area. During the day, they can hide underneath from hawks and the blazing sun. In winter, under the camper is a playground free of ice and snow. PERFECT setup for us. It's absolutely secure, insulated, and plenty of windows for light and controlled ventilation. This one cost us $350 and a road trip. The smaller camper was given to us, free. We use it for broody hens and their babies until time to integrate to the flock.

 

[KyKyMarie77]

We use two old abandoned camper trailers. Gutted the insides, put vinyl on the floor, wire hardware cloth over the windows, built roosting bars, and a rack to hold 5-gal buckets for nests. The bigger camper is divided in half inside with a screen door. Birds roost and nest in the back half, where we made a pop-door with ramp for their access. Front half is used for feed and equipment storage, and a brooder area. During the day, they can hide underneath from hawks and the blazing sun. In winter, under the camper is a playground free of ice and snow. PERFECT setup for us. It's absolutely secure, insulated, and plenty of windows for light and controlled ventilation. This one cost us $350 and a road trip. The smaller camper was given to us, free. We use it for broody hens and their babies until time to integrate to the flock.

That is so cool! do you have photos??

 

[3KillerBs]

Those runs with the chicken wire are really fairly flimsy and not in the least predator-proof. You'd need to cover the entire thing with hardware cloth.

You'd also need to consider snow load.

Many people in need of sturdy runs have scoured Craig's List for used chainlink dog kennel panels, which are much sturdier. You still need hardware cloth around the bottom to prevent reach-throughs, but you wouldn't have predators going right through the wire.

Probably the best coop option in this situation would be to convert a shed.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Strong all weather coops are built not bought

 

[BarnyardChaos]

That is so cool! do you have photos??

I do. I made a thread about it a couple of years ago. Not much different today, except I've replaced the bigger walk-through door with a much sturdier one made of wood and glass, and added a tarp to drop down over the nesting buckets at night to keep the birdbrains from messing in their nests.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/camper-converted-into-chicken-coop.1367928/