Upgrading store bought coop

[CindyinSD]

No lake it’s a yard behind us, I’m gonna use outdoor plywood, I considered clear tarp— but I don’t think it’s great since it is so hot in this part of Florida all the time. I have 2 ventilation points at the top by the roof- as well as a fan circulating in the loft area - do I still need to replace with hardware cloth if i intend to cover with plywood? As far as needing an anchor I haven’t had any issues with it the year we have had it in the yard ..

You’re right about the clear tarp. I’m thinking in SD temps! White will work though, should you want a tarp. It will give mild shade, not heat. I have white tarps on my tractor coops. It’s only clear that heats up.

I thought that WAS hw cloth tho you’ve been calling it chicken wire. It’s black in the pics but I figured that must be the light. But no, you don’t need both HWC and plywood. As for anchors, you’ll change the wind resistance once you enclose it. It’s cheap to do the anchors. You may go for years and be fine, but I wouldn’t have it enclosed without the anchors, not here or there. After 30 years of no serious weather, my folks had 4 hurricanes blow right over central FL in one season. We didn’t think they could even get that far inland. That was the year they moved up here to be with us. Hopefully you won’t have that to deal wit’s, though even a good stiff gust could grab hold and blow it over once it has something to hold on to.

 

[CindyinSD]

Premier One is worth the money for sure. The one I got (shock-or-not) is both taller and longer than my cheaper ones. Be sure you get some help setting it up if possible. I’ve done it by myself a few times and it’s really awkward.

 

[Xannisavia]

Ok. I’m ordering white tarp to enclose it for now, and I will let my husband know about the anchoring and have him do that as I agree with you on that!

 

[Xannisavia]

We planned on getting the 48” portable just to be able to move it around slightly. Would the shock or not be better?

 

[aart]

I’m gonna use outdoor plywood, I considered clear tarp— but I don’t think it’s great since it is so hot in this part of Florida all the time.

Even the plywood may be too much.....in your climate mesh walls might be best for ventilation.

 

[Xannisavia]

I have ventilation on the top and sides. I don’t wanna use mesh if water from rain can get inside the coop while they’re sleeping

 

[aart]

I have ventilation on the top and sides. I don’t wanna use mesh if water from rain can get inside the coop while they’re sleeping

Very large roof overhangs...or a large solid roofed run for shade and rain protection.

 

[MROO]

I now reside in Florida so there’s more of a breeze. I was thinking of using liquid nail around the edges and gluing plywood to the outside of the coop(so there still is the chicken wire inside). My only issue is the measurements are soo wonky getting it cut right would be such a pain. I wanted to add roosting bars under the loft and one extra roasting bar above the already existing in the run. I am leaving the very top right side open for ventilation and I have a fan in the loft portion that circulate air In there . Thank you for your advice!

Can you use a level and some cross pieces to square up your old coop? That would not only make adding sides easier, but would make the structure more sound and solid. It would help during some of those intense FL thunderstorms ... and we won't even mention the "Big H" word!

 

[CindyinSD]

We planned on getting the 48” portable just to be able to move it around slightly. Would the shock or not be better?

Shock-or-not is mostly in case you want to put little chicks in. It has netting along the bottom. It’s pricey but worth it if you plan to regularly have chicks in there. I would go with the portable you’re looking at. I’m sure it’s perfectly adequate for your needs. Remember, though... if you’re going to have it in place for a long time, you have to keep the grass out of it or the spark will bleed away into the ground. I think it’s a wonderful idea. It gives you flexibility in case you don’t like the shape, location, size of your run.

You may eventually want to put up permanent fencing though, because it’s so much easier to maintain. If you need the e-wire, you can use a strand a couple inches up and another around 10” up on the outside of the fencing. (I use equine rope for the visibility but any easily-seen wire will work fine.) This will repel the vast majority of ground predators because they sniff first, then dig. It’s also a LOT more powerful than any netting.

 

[NatJ]

In Florida, I don't think you'll need plywood on the chicken coop.

But, if you need plywood cut for anything else: places like Home Depot and Lowes will often cut it for you, either free or for a reasonable fee. The ones in my area each have a large saw for exactly that purpose. They will only do cuts straight across (long way or wide way of the plywood), no angles--but an odd number of inches is no problem. Obviously, bring the measurements with you, and it's easier if you go at a time they're not terribly busy. I've had to wait in line sometimes, because they were cutting other people's stuff too, but the only time I was told "no" was when the saw was broken.