'The Honey Hole' Coop & Run Build

[aart]

Total newbie but, I should have come here first. Experience vs book smarts win every time!

Yep, common error. So glad you're willing to adjust, you'll be glad too!

Thank you, should be easy enough to add another base of 4x4' (16sqft) for all 8 birds to be comfortable at a total of a 32sqft coop. Back to Lowes it is!

....or go 8x8'

So it’s not just the prefab coops that exaggerate their capacity - on these coop plans, as well!

Nope, it sure isn't, same goes for chick heat plates too....many coop plans are based off those stupid dollhouse prefab coops by people who have never had chickens.
They have sales and marketing on their minds, not good design for chickens or keepers.

 

[earth_toes]

A word of caution when dealing with birds and dogs.....letting them all roam the yard is great (until they have turned it into a dust bowl).
I have dogs with a high prey drive. I can never allow the dogs to accidentally be let into the yard while chickens are out.

I built my dogs a giant kennel that is accessed directly from the house. I made it so there is a dog side and a human/chicken side.

Thank you for your information on experience with dogs being allowed to mingle. I have a Great Dane who is scared of everything so he's definitely not an issue (until he's put in the yard with them - i really don't know yet, he's still scared of the chicks flapping about), the shepherd could potentially be an issue as he loves to round things up and herd EVERYTHING. I will be putting the coop on the side of the fenced in yard that will not take much to run a line of fencing to keep them separate for those moments they cannot get along. I have faith they will be best buddies! Fingers crossed!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thank you for your information on experience with dogs being allowed to mingle. I have a Great Dane who is scared of everything so he's definitely not an issue (until he's put in the yard with them - i really don't know yet, he's still scared of the chicks flapping about), the shepherd could potentially be an issue as he loves to round things up and herd EVERYTHING. I will be putting the coop on the side of the fenced in yard that will not take much to run a line of fencing to keep them separate for those moments they cannot get along. I have faith they will be best buddies! Fingers crossed!

Mine would totally "play" the birds to death given half a chance.

 

[earth_toes]

Mine would totally "play" the birds to death given half a chance.

What breeds do you have? My Shepherd loves to 'play' but generally it gets concerning with smaller animals. He knows well enough to leave it alone when it's not happy though. LOL!

 

[21hens-incharge]

What breeds do you have? My Shepherd loves to 'play' but generally it gets concerning with smaller animals. He knows well enough to leave it alone when it's not happy though. LOL!

I have 3 mixed breed dogs.
A German wire haired pointer/weimareiner (sp?)

A black a tan coon hound/airedale

And a husky/blue pit

The first one is old now.....I don't think he could chase them these days. The other 2 would love a "play date".

They DO all know and obey "leave it". I am not sure I would be quick enough with intervention though. Usually if I am out there it is to get things done so might not see it start.

 

[Duckworth]

My neighbor’s chicken got into our yard and our dogs killed it before I could get out there to stop it. Their small prey instinct can be very strong and a dog not reared together with poultry is likely to have that instinct take over suddenly. My ducks are always in a run and I don’t ever let my dogs in there even when the ducks aren’t.

I have a husky and a chow/golden mix.

 

[earth_toes]

Back at it! My husband and I finally got some sunshine and went to work. Extension added, windows framed and installed and we're very happy with our progress! Siding and nesting boxes this weekend!
*PS: Took a couple of our girls outside yesterday, was about 85 degrees until the sun went down. So adorable!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Those feathered feet!

 

[Sueby]

OMG that little one is so cute with the feathered feet!

My dog is a jerk around the chickens. He is a rat terrier mix & wants to hunt anything he can (especially chipmunks, they drive him NUTS). He is pretty well behaved normally, but when he is after something it's like he can't even hear me. I would never trust him around the chickens.

 

[earth_toes]

We're back at it, almost done with the run and on to the siding and finishing out the roof. Painting, siding and planting the run grass this weekend! We're so close i can taste the eggs that'll be coming! Update on the dogs, one is totally uninterested in anything they do, he's in and around the brooder when i have the top open each evening for them to hop and fly around. He's going to be their protector, we hope! The Great Dane is still scared to death, but curious. Always something happening on the farm! Thanks for the views and Namaste!