using a privacy fence panel as 1 side of the coop?

[SOchick]

I need to build a new coop for my girls (I did some serious adding to my flock). My dad was going to give me my old childhood playhouse to convert into a coop, but we took a good look at it, and it is not sturdy enough to be moved

Sooo... I get to build a new coop. I would like to build it next to my privacy fence, and was wondering what you guys think of using a fence panel as one side of the coop. The pickets are very close together/toughing, and the other 3 sides would be plywood. (similar to this one by bluie: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=3633-Coop_and_run) - not sure if she used a fence panel as a side or not. Anyway, should I just leave it as a fence panel, or cover it with a tarp/this plywood to cut down on possible drafts coming in through the pickets? Let me know what you think please

Thanks!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Just looked at the pictures. SHe didn't leave it or even use it as part of the coop. The fence is actually behind the coop by a few inches in the picture. SHe die attach the run to the fence and then line the inside of the fence with wire.

I wouldn't use the fence. I would build it as a unit in itself.

 

[patandchickens]

I wouldn't, personally. It is not going to be as strong or sound as a 'real' wall, without actually saving you any money since the wire you oughta reinforce it with will cost at *least* as much as a sheet of plywood and a coupla 2x4s; and it will prevent you from ever moving the coop without major disassembly.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[SOchick]

Thanks guys, my dad and I were having a debate over it. He thinks it would be fine, and I was on the fence (no pun intended

)... I will show him more of the coop stuff here

 

[CoopCrazy]

I wouold just use a wood putty to seal any cracks or places for wind to get in and go for it.. I am all for using what you have and not going crazy.. My chickens live in a plain old Plywood coop and they are fine.. i would think the fence panel would be thicker then the plywood..

 

[poultryhaven]

I use my privacy fence for the back of 2 of my runs. It works fine. I also dont have to worry about many predators cause I live in the city

so I don't know how good it would be at keeping predators out but i'm thinking it would be pretty sturdy.

 

[patandchickens]

To clarify, my security concern is that (especially as the wood ages) it becomes quite possible to push/pull/gnaw fenceboards off the fence. This doesn't happen often in a normal privacy-fence situation but I would not wanting to be putting MY "living breathing chicken dinner" just a fenceboard away from hungry raccoons and dogs and rats. I would sincerely suggest putting hardwarecloth on the inside (coop) side of the fence, securely attached, at least onthe bottom 4' or so.

There is a lot to be said for building a coop you can move, though, if circumstances change.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat