the new coop is almost finished(pics)

[BekahBear]

i've been working on the coop for my 5 rescue girls. the coop itself is 4x4x4 with a slanted roof. i still need to build nest boxes into it and add a perch for them to roost on. the bottom half of the back wall will open up for easy access for collecting eggs when they start laying. for now it is just screwed on though. i will finish the door when i finish the nest boxes. hopefully i can work on it this weekend. i'll pain it when i'm done with it. i cut a large open front door for them so they can get good airflow in the summer since it gets so hot here. the run is 4x8x4. i used left over non climb cattle fencing from when we put up the dog run. the wire goes about 4 inches into the ground then fans out about a foot to make it difficult for anything to dig its way in. i plan on putting chicken wire along the bottom 2 feet of the run for added protection but i just haven't had the chance yet. the roof of the run is wire except for the first foot and a half or so after the coop. i made that out of plywood so they have a solid awning. the front of the run is plywood and has a 2' wide door on it. here are some pics of it. let me know what you think. how many chickens do you think could comfortably live in it?

here is a side view of the coop nad run

here is a view of the coop from inside the run

a quick pic of most of the girls

and a pick of my helper keeping watch over them for me lol...he loves them and is friends with them..you would think he was raised with chickens his whole life.

 

[usschicago1]

Nice Coop

 

[Gonzo]

That is so awesome that your dog does so well with the girls like that! I've got 2 westies, and a german sheperd and we can't let any of them near our chickens! Like the coop too!

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[BekahBear]

thanks guys. and yea, Rio would hang out in the coop all day with them if i let him. hes the only dog out of our pack that i would trust with them though. most of the the Bloodhounds(we have 5) think they look/smell like chew toys

 

[arherp]

Nice coop! What kind/size wire is that?

 

[teach1rusl]

Your coop is looking good! You asked about how many chickens it would fit? I would stick with the five you have. The general rule of thumb is 4 sq. feet of indoor space and 10 sq. ft. of run space per standard sized bird (it looks like these are all standard sizes). Unless they are out in the yard a decent amount each day, it's a little snug as it is now.

 

[pride&joy]

Nice coop, pretty chickens , cool dog and you have bloodhounds Nice!! Please Please let us see??

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[BekahBear]

What kind/size wire is that?

i believe its Red Brand non-climb horse fencing. the stuff i used was 5'high...we dug it about a foot in the ground to keep predators from being able to dig in. i've seen it at Lowes and some feed stores. its usually used for horses or cattle. the wire is woven together and the spaces are about 2"x4". its great for horses since they cant get a hoof caught in it. we used it to section off a 20'x90' dog run. i used the leftover to build the coop.​

 

[BekahBear]

Nice coop, pretty chickens , cool dog and you have bloodhounds Nice!! Please Please let us see??

thanks. and sure...i'm always willing to share some pics of the hounds

first up is "Bert" (Oakie Acres Amber Alert)

next is "Abby" (Abby Stevens Douglas) this is right after her last litter..she is now retired after 2 beautiful litters

this is "Princess" (Palmers Crimson Princess) from abby's 1st litter (we dont have the dad anymore..we gave him to a friend)

this is "Ginger" (Palmers Little Ginger) same litter as princess. i love this pic of her at the park. i want to send it in to a calendar or postcard

this is "Diamond" (Palmers Diamond in the Ruff) from abby's 2nd litter dad is bert

and i had to throw in this pic. its one of diamond's littermates. i just love baby squishy faces. they're so huggable