Temporary Prefab coop reinforcing...

[Wubba]

I bought this prefab (Hill Country) from TSC for a temporary solution while I build the chicken palace...it's NOT intended to be long-term housing. (For scale: peak of roof is approx. 58", nearly 5ft.) However, I live in a rural area in northern Indiana, I need to predator-proof it. I bought heavier gauge hardware cloth and fender washers to add to all the areas already utilizing hardware cloth (currently, it's not a heavy enough gauge) and also plan on adding the HC to cover the entire bottom of the hen house (the hen house floor is a slide out tray--convenient, but not secure enough). We had planned to place the coop and run onto pavers around the perimeter and skirt (on the ground surrounding) it with hardware cloth. Also, the bottom of the nest box feels a bit flimsy, so I'm going to add a piece of wood to fasten it more securely, add rigidity and close-off a gap. I bought some hardware to attach to the doors that I can use a carabiner to secure. Lastly, I bought an automatic chicken door.
(Note: the run is incomplete here, I'm waiting until we are 'on-site' to complete assembly of that portion.)
Does all this seem adequate? Am I missing anything? Any other recommendations? Anyone with past experience with this coop have any insight/wisdom to share? TIA

 

[aart]

Sounds like a decent plan, and may come in handy down the road as isolation housing.
Better get on the palace pronto tho, tiny chicks get big fast.

 

[Lor]

It sounds like you have it handled. I can't think of anything more.
It's a shame that those prefab coops always need work to be appropriate. Looks like a nice one, though.

 

[NatJ]

Does the nestbox lid lift up to open? If so, I would make sure there is some kind of latch to keep it down.

I don't see anything else you missed.

 

[linguini]

We have the exact same coop attached to our other coop and run. The wood panels are flimsy - I was afraid to sneeze when we were putting it together fear that I'd break the wood pieces.

1. wrap the entire bottom of the coop (including the legs, base and all) with hardware cloth.

2. rest the whole thing on cinderblocks (mix and match different types of cinder blocks in whatever orientation required to cover the perimeter of the base). This raised the coop by 8 inch. to avoid wet grounds/snow etc.
lay hardware cloth around the base on the ground for extra predator proof.

3. And add three extra center cinderblocks in the center so that when you need to step into the coop, you can put weight on the blocks under the tray - in case you need to access inside the coop for wires, fans, or any modification.

4. We didn't use the run that came with it (very flimsy). Instead, we built a connector run to other coop and connect to our extended, big, run. (the connector is on the ground level, and the coop now is 8 inch above ground)

5. build 2x4 roosting bars on top of the two lower roosting bars to raise the height and also to make it easier for them to roost.

6.remove the top roosting bar - it's too high in such a small space for them to jump off!

We are not good with tools/saws for woodwork - only know how to use a small reciprocate saw and power drill! Building the connecting tunnel was more like sowing clothes - a patch work, but much more solid and predator proof!

I also leave the big back door/wall open during late spring, summer and fall and cover with hardware mesh/frame for ventilation (for reference: two short run panels is almost equivalent to the size of the door). So, one side of the coop is entirely open to fresh air (but covered with hardware mesh) in warm seasons.

You will need to enhance the screws and hardware of the nesting box covers! They get loose easily!

 

[Wubba]

Making progress on my pre-fab...We got it moved out to the garden and leveled. I assembled that cheesy little run. My husband made fun of it, "If I were to get a running start, I'd run right through it..."
After seeing another member's post, I decided reinforcing the run was absolutely necessary. It's 100% stronger now... my husband stopped making fun of it, says I did a good job. (Pics)
FYI, husband didn't want the chickens and gave me a lot of grief...10 days in and he has already built a little toy for the chicks in the brooder, picked a "favorite" to snuggle, and stated that I should've gotten more of the Buff Orpington-(they are so sweet). Lol.

 

[Wubba]

Update... completed the reinforcing on the hen house. 1/4" hardware cloth on all the windows and the entire bottom. New locks. Added wood reinforcing to the nest box.

 

[Mouthpear]

Progressing

 

[Wubba]

UPDATE: I have finished with all the reinforcing to the temp coop! 2x4's in the run, upgraded locks, 1/4" hardware cloth on the hen house (all openings and the entire bottom), 1/2" hardware cloth on the outside of the entire run and skirting.)
The babies are now enjoying their days outside in their coop/run and garden, but back into the brooder for the night. Temps are expecting to dip slightly this week, but it's ready whenever the weather cooperates and they are ready.
Next--to start on the big coop!