Utilizing underneath deck for run and stairwell for coop

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I have to do something ASAP for my chicks safety since our neighbor now has a dog and my chicks are getting out of my wrought-iron fencing and going into her yard...and my husband is uncooperative with buying anything to use as a coop.
I ran across the open air coop article...

Jen's Hens'- A Southern Texas Coop

So I'm thinking of using 1/2"hardward cloth 19 gauge to enclose the space underneath our deck.
I am going to wrap the underside of the steps alongside the deck with hardware cloth as well (is it bendable - will this be too difficult or do u have better suggestion?) And then staple a tarp under that to waterproof the stairwell so that can be their "coop" area with roost bars.
My idea is the open air coop concept since I need a lot of ventilation due to our climate in TN. I believe this will supply the 3 silkies and 1 polish with enough wind block.
Does this sound like a good alternative and much less expensive? I won't need nesting boxes til January or so cause they are only 8wk old now. I'm attaching current deck and pre-fab coop setup here.
I believe this would check off the following necessities:

• Protection from other animals
• Ventilation
• Protection from wind and rain

 

[nuthatched]

Can you add a layer of chicken wire to your wrought iron fence? I think you can turn your underdeck as a run. I have under my deck as part if my run for shade

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Can you add a layer of chicken wire to your wrought iron fence? I think you can turn your underdeck as a run. I have under my deck as part if my run for shade

My husband will not go for that either I'm afraid.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, I think that could possibly work to provide safety and weather-protection.

Perhaps the odor of chickens under the deck will convince your husband of the need for a proper coop?

 

[Boise-girls]

Given your options, under the deck seems like a good way to go. Should provide good shade and weather protection, too. Good luck!

 

[aart]

Is the deck surface water proof?
What is the green thing on the ground under the deck?

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Is the deck surface water proof?
What is the green thing on the ground under the deck?

No the deck surface is not waterproof.
After today's heavy rains all day it is clear I will need a larger section just off from under the stairwell to give additional waterproofing....as the plexiglass small roof over their turtle pool full of woodchips is completely flooded...not just wet as it has been after usual rains. This is the depth of my handyman skills at work...see why I'm scared of takin this on...
The green thing on ground underneath the deck is a tarp from where our Rottweiler hung out for shade...grass never grew and hubby did not like the mud it created so he laid down tarps and secured them in place.
The chicks luv hearing their feet on the tarp each day.

 

[Chuckie chicken]

The chickens would also like to be able to scratch around in the dirt under the deck if the tarp was removed. Could you put your prefab under there to use as a coop?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

and my husband is uncooperative with buying anything to use as a coop.

You may need to get rid of him, husbands need to cooperate.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

The chickens would also like to be able to scratch around in the dirt under the deck if the tarp was removed. Could you put your prefab under there to use as a coop?

Tonight I thought I about moving it there and just cut out the backside of it for ventilation and that way they are protected but I can pull up the tarp there underneath the run portion of it too.
I have container pots of all types of things they will be able to get to from within the hardware cloth for supplements as well.