We finally have our 9 week old girls in their new coop after weeks of trying to get it installed, a hurricane, a medical problem, blah blah blah. It's been a couple days and they love the coop, but will not go into the run. I put food on the ramp to coax them down, but don't want to leave food in the run yet because we need to put up hardware cloth to protect from critters. We also have lots of bugs and ants I don't want to attract them to the coop. You can see in the picture the wires will not keep them out. Maybe leave the food in the run during the day and moving it back inside at night? My plan this week is to hang the food in the run so it's not sitting on the grass, and also install a pvc waterer w/nipples in the run as well. Am I worrying about nothing? Chickens are so weird, but I love them!
I want to mention that Larry, the coop builder, and his family are so wonderful to work with. He does this in his spare time and delivers all over. He's located in Conneticut and drove the coop down to us in NJ, set it up, and built the run on site. Him and his lovely wife were busting their butts at 9pm to finish it. He's not cheap, but the coop is fully insulated and the roosting bars and nest boxes are all removable so it can be used as a brooder as well. Neither the DH or I are that handy with woodworking, so building it ourselves was not an option
I want to mention that Larry, the coop builder, and his family are so wonderful to work with. He does this in his spare time and delivers all over. He's located in Conneticut and drove the coop down to us in NJ, set it up, and built the run on site. Him and his lovely wife were busting their butts at 9pm to finish it. He's not cheap, but the coop is fully insulated and the roosting bars and nest boxes are all removable so it can be used as a brooder as well. Neither the DH or I are that handy with woodworking, so building it ourselves was not an option
