We’re totally bonkers.

[Joeschooks]

I’ve just noticed that the roof is chicken wire. I don’t know what predators you have around your area but foxes (and I imagine coyotes etc) will be able to chew it and get in with relative ease. It looks like you have a lockable coop inside the run so you should be ok a night but here in UK we get loads of foxes during the day and I had a couple of close calls before I enclosed a large area for them with electric fence. The hardware cloth like you have on the sides would be a much better option. You have a nice set up there though, your girls will be happy.

 

[oldhen2345]

I’m kind of excited and a little worried we’ve lost our minds.

If you have, you are in good company. I like your coop with run. You just wait til spring and see what chicken math can do for your mental state.

 

[LittlemsB]

Haha! Thanks, everyone. Glad to know I’m in good company.

We’re in Austin, so no need to worry about snow. And I plan on having annual vines grow up the west facing side in the summer months. The limestone bricks run the perimeter, so I’m not worried about digging critters. As far as I know the primary threats are possums, raccoons, grey fox, coyotes, great horned owls and hawks. And we’re pretty close in town, so there’s definitely more pets than predators. Hopefully ours won’t be worth the hassle.

 

[LittlemsB]

And the eves of the house give additional shelter to that of the interior coop.

 

[aart]

Not much rain in Austin?
I'd put a solid roof for shade, opaque plastic corrugated would work.
After putting HC on rafters.....coons will chew thru the chicken wire and the tiny coop pretty easily.
That coop, no more than 3 birds, max.

 

[squadleader]

You know if you follow Aarts advice, hardware cloth on the roof, and an opaque panel roof, and you're positive the run is predator proof, you don't technically even need a coop in the mild weather of Texas.

The rule of thumb with a sleeping coop is at least 4 square feet per bird. I don't know the dimensions of your coop. If you put a roosting bar in the run, they'll roost on it.

I didn't realize it until I got my birds, but they mostly like shade all the time. The only exception being when it's cold, they'll sun bathe for awhile to warm up, so Aart is right about putting a roof on it.

If you leave the south side open to the low hanging winter sun, that would be ideal.

I will say though, you guys have done a great job, especially considering it's your first effort, I'm quite impressed. It's very attractive, and functional too, you're 90 percent there!

 

[oldhen2345]

I'd put a solid roof for shade, opaque plastic corrugated would work.

I put that corrugated PCV on my baby pen roof. Works well if it is well supported with beams underneath.- mine only had a wood strut every 4 feet and the weight of the rain made the plastic bend inward- had to add extra struts- jut FYI. Also, I left an edge on the roof so it would overhang a little- it bent down and I could not open the door easily, so I had to trim it back. I also put it on two of sides to help keep the rain out of it. Now I wish I had left about 3 feet at the bottom open. I have hardwire all around with the corrugated PVC over it. Maybe I will trim it back this year.

 

[aart]

Works well if it is well supported with beams underneath.

Yes, it needs to be installed correctly.
You need larger overhangs, all the way around, on yours.

 

[Abriana]

Welcome to the world of chickens!
Change the chicken wire to hardware cloth. Even if it’s on the top, climbing predators can rip thru it and weasels can slip right thru those holes (some weasels can fit thru holes about an inch wide). I know it might be difficult to replace, but better safe than sorry later! Or you could just put hardware cloth over the existing chicken wire.
Another thing I’d do is walk around the coop, checking every bit for small holes a weasel could fit thru. Anything over half an inch in diameter, place wood or hardware cloth over.

 

[K813ZRA]

Chickens are addictive! That looks great, btw. Have fun with your flock!