Surviving Minnesota!

[destiny_56085]

Sent off an entry for Hutch this morning too. 30 silkies between 6 varieties. We'll see who actually has feathers left by then.... Also put down a few 5 month olds that might be mature enough. It is what it is.... Looking around the farm, I really should have entered some standard cochins, australorps, and muscovies. I might stay over Friday night, but have to get home for chores on Saturday yet and will just come back sunday morning.

 

[holm25]

Sent off an entry for Hutch this morning too. 30 silkies between 6 varieties. We'll see who actually has feathers left by then.... Also put down a few 5 month olds that might be mature enough. It is what it is.... Looking around the farm, I really should have entered some standard cochins, australorps, and muscovies. I might stay over Friday night, but have to get home for chores on Saturday yet and will just come back sunday morning.

You have any Scovys to sell?

 

[Varagol]

So I'm working on my run which will be attached to the shed/coop. I've got 2x4 welded wire going from top to bottom on the outside, with chicken wire going top to bottom on the inside. (What I mean by that is it's inside the posts, where the welded is on the outside of the posts)
This gives it a bout 1.5" of dead space which if something was trying to reach in shouldn't be able to. The run is 8x16, and I still need loads more to do on it. Need to add roof, and then welded wire on the top that isn't covered by the roof. A couple of WIP pics:

The corner slopes down as I'll add a rain collector in the corner for the spring/summer to add to an auto water feeder. The roof will be roughly 5x8, and will come over about a foot to the right of the roll of wire in the pic.

Should the welded plus chicken wire be enough? The birds will stay in the shed at night.
Thoughts/comments welcome!

 

[MNChickMom]

So I'm working on my run which will be attached to the shed/coop. I've got 2x4 welded wire going from top to bottom on the outside, with chicken wire going top to bottom on the inside. (What I mean by that is it's inside the posts, where the welded is on the outside of the posts)
This gives it a bout 1.5" of dead space which if something was trying to reach in shouldn't be able to. The run is 8x16, and I still need loads more to do on it. Need to add roof, and then welded wire on the top that isn't covered by the roof. A couple of WIP pics:
View attachment 1553205

The corner slopes down as I'll add a rain collector in the corner for the spring/summer to add to an auto water feeder. The roof will be roughly 5x8, and will come over about a foot to the right of the roll of wire in the pic.
View attachment 1553215

Should the welded plus chicken wire be enough? The birds will stay in the shed at night.
Thoughts/comments welcome!

It is a good start, I would add some type of wire to the ground. Tie the wire to the bottom edge and bury at least 2 feet out. Put a little fill over it to keep digging predators out as well. (Skunks dig... trust me you don’t want one in the coop.)

I am generally not a fan of the chicken wire because it can be manipulated easily by predators but the wire mesh is expensive.

 

[Varagol]

It is a good start, I would add some type of wire to the ground. Tie the wire to the bottom edge and bury at least 2 feet out. Put a little fill over it to keep digging predators out as well. (Skunks dig... trust me you don’t want one in the coop.)

I am generally not a fan of the chicken wire because it can be manipulated easily by predators but the wire mesh is expensive.

I've got a plan for the edges, so that is taken care of. The chicken wire is behind the welded wire, so I'm not worried about that being the only way to stop critters from getting in - it's there to prevent chicks/chickens getting out through the welded wire, as well as make it much harder for critters to reach into the run. They have to reach 2" to get past the welded wire and the chicken wire.

Thanks for your thoughts tho!

 

[holm25]

@Varagol I like that run

 

[ejtrout31]

it snowed today in northern minnesota

 

[MNChickMom]

Another suggestion for uncovered runs. Put a foot of construction sand in the run, we had black dirt mixed with clay ground it was soupy disgusting mess. The coarse construction sand allows rain and spilled water dishes to drain away better. Plus it provides a little dust bathe at same time.

 

[holm25]

I think I’m getting a pair of Horseman and a pair of Fantail pigeons...

 

[duluthralphie]

2x4 welded wire is a tad large.. mink can walk right through it,,

I would add electric mesh to the outside.. I love my electric fence.