Sub-Arctic Summer Coop Build

[SubArcticFowl]

Well, it is finally happening; I am getting chickens in about six weeks. It has been a long go trying to convince the wife, but she finally relented and agreed I'd have time to take care of them when I finish my MBA. I'm scheduled to finish on May 16 and hope to my chickens that week. A nearby school has a coop and they have indicated they might be able to get me some hens. If not, others get some delivered from time to time. My plan is to start with three or four.

Due to my climate (sub-arctic) I am going to have a summer and winter coop. I've discussed the winter coop a bit in another thread and will be revisiting that in the fall, but right now I want to focus on the summer coop I need to start building soon. I have a 6'x8' wooden shed that I want to convert to the summer coop. See the photo below.

I want to build a medium-sized covered run attached to the coop. The plan is to find a spot to fit it in between the trees. I'm aiming for about 100 sq ft for the run. Then I would like to have a larger pen area, perhaps just wrap the trees in a fence. The chickens will then get supervised pen time when I am working in the garden. The main predators of concern in my area are foxes.

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions. I'll try to update this thread as I build. Right now the area is still covered in snow as we are still waiting for our first day of above-freezing temperature this year. Hopefully I can get in there by the end of the month. I don't need to worry about digging into the ground as it is pretty much exposed bedrock there and therefore I will just floating concrete feet to support the line posts in the run.

Wish me luck!

 

[alwaystj9]

Good Luck from the other side of the climate coop experience!
I won't be much help but happy to follow along.
My daughter and her boyfriend were rebuilding my coop to earn money.
So she started tearing the old one down before he got the new one started.
Now my chickens are sort of residentially challenged and my goats have egg yolk in their hair.

 

[Alaskan]

Well, it is finally happening; I am getting chickens in about six weeks. It has been a long go trying to convince the wife, but she finally relented and agreed I'd have time to take care of them when I finish my MBA. I'm scheduled to finish on May 16 and hope to my chickens that week. A nearby school has a coop and they have indicated they might be able to get me some hens. If not, others get some delivered from time to time. My plan is to start with three or four.

Due to my climate (sub-arctic) I am going to have a summer and winter coop. I've discussed the winter coop a bit in another thread and will be revisiting that in the fall, but right now I want to focus on the summer coop I need to start building soon. I have a 6'x8' wooden shed that I want to convert to the summer coop. See the photo below.

I want to build a medium-sized covered run attached to the coop. The plan is to find a spot to fit it in between the trees. I'm aiming for about 100 sq ft for the run. Then I would like to have a larger pen area, perhaps just wrap the trees in a fence. The chickens will then get supervised pen time when I am working in the garden. The main predators of concern in my area are foxes.

I'd welcome any tips or suggestions. I'll try to update this thread as I build. Right now the area is still covered in snow as we are still waiting for our first day of above-freezing temperature this year. Hopefully I can get in there by the end of the month. I don't need to worry about digging into the ground as it is pretty much exposed bedrock there and therefore I will just floating concrete feet to support the line posts in the run.

Wish me luck!

View attachment 2597748

The great thing about foxes is that they don't climb.

So...digging, and squeezing in any gaps is what foxes will try.

I do have weasels, and they climb and can squeeze in through TINY spots. Owls have very strong feet, and will tear up stuff trying to get in.

I have all winged raptors... and I have had a bald eagle bust through my fishnet top. I also had a bald eagle land on the ground and then hop into the run. The other smaller raptors have been easier to keep out.

For bears, get a dog, or electric.

With all of that said, if you think your weasel population is low, and you don't have raccoons, then you should be able to get by with fishnet for the top.

What latitude are you at? I am at 59.


Anyway, I have a cold weather coop article that goes over a bunch of stuff.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[SubArcticFowl]

The great thing about foxes is that they don't climb.

So...digging, and squeezing in any gaps is what foxes will try.

I do have weasels, and they climb and can squeeze in through TINY spots. Owls have very strong feet, and will tear up stuff trying to get in.

I have all winged raptors... and I have had a bald eagle bust through my fishnet top. I also had a bald eagle land on the ground and then hop into the run. The other smaller raptors have been easier to keep out.

For bears, get a dog, or electric.

With all of that said, if you think your weasel population is low, and you don't have raccoons, then you should be able to get by with fishnet for the top.

What latitude are you at? I am at 59.


Anyway, I have a cold weather coop article that goes over a bunch of stuff.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Thanks very much for your response. I've read your article before and did so again just now. There's a lot of great info in there. I don't think I'm going to brave the coldest part of the winter with my outdoor coop, but rather move them under the deck next to the pellet boiler. Watch for that thread to pop back up in the fall.

I'm at 62.5 degrees North and a fair bit inland. We are pretty much exactly in the centre of the continent and therefore don't get any moderating effects from the ocean. The tree line is about 160 km (100 miles) from me.

Foxes are everywhere in this town. I almost ran over one yesterday. We do get eagles; bald and golden eagles are what I've seen the most. Owls too. It's too cold for racoons, but coyotes are starting to make their way out here. There has been a couple of lynx in town this winter, which is rare, and last year I did see a wolverine in town too. Bears and wolves do show up on occasion, but I've never seen one in my yard. So I guess there is more than foxes, but it's just foxes that are everywhere and don't seem to be afraid of people anymore. We also can't forget about dogs.

 

[Alaskan]

Then it sounds like you will just have to keep out foxes, dogs, and eagles.

That is nice.

Lynx are so shy, they aren't usually a problem. And if you fence out dogs, it will keep out coyotes. There are a bunch of coyotes here, and I haven't ever had a problem.

There aren't many bear around my house, I have only had one come through a couple times... so I haven't had to put up electric.

And yes, interior is cold!

 

[SubArcticFowl]

Snow is now gone and my build is coming along. So far I've got the frame for the run completed. Next up is installing hardware cloth and the roof, which is going to be clear panels.

I need to step it up as my chickens are coming on Monday. There are competing demands on my time with the garden. I have a very short growing season and two nights ago was our last frost. So I'm splitting my time in prepping beds and planting as well.

 

[LaFleche]

The great thing about foxes is that they don't climb.

Here in Germany they do climb all kinds of walls, fencings of different styles and heights and they even climb up the trees to then jump from there.

 

[3KillerBs]

Good luck with it!

 

[Aunt Tat]

Snow is now gone and my build is coming along. So far I've got the frame for the run completed. Next up is installing hardware cloth and the roof, which is going to be clear panels.

I need to step it up as my chickens are coming on Monday. There are competing demands on my time with the garden. I have a very short growing season and two nights ago was our last frost. So I'm splitting my time in prepping beds and planting as well.

View attachment 2691003How large is the area?
Loving the cute skinny trees, too

 

[Alaskan]

I too am running like mad...

I got most things planted yesterday.

This is our third hot day... (as in we hit 60F)

How much snow do you usually get? Make sure the roof is sloped!