Wing It Ranch

[Auntiejessi3]

So I've never posted my coop & run. For a reason... I've noticed people can be a little judgy or make a lot of comments about what you did wrong. Well, I figured this was a safe space since this is my thread and only nice people are here haha. I do welcome constructive criticism if anyone has inputs.

Here's what I started with:
View attachment 4102330

Here's the small adjustments over time:
View attachment 4102336
View attachment 4102337
View attachment 4102338

And I've been working all weekend on expanding with an open air coop on the opposite side of the traditional coop:
View attachment 4102340
View attachment 4102341View attachment 4102342

Everything is covered in hardware cloth with a skirt around the perimeter. I plan on adding nest boxes (which I'll need similar to the current ones because my loved ones refuse to enter the coop) and I'm going to collect rain water from the roof and feed it back into the coop with horizontal nipples.

I currently have 10 hens and 8 pullets. They free range for several hours in the afternoon. Well, the hens do.. the pullets will eventually.

Very nice! And I love how your coop matches your barn! I have no room for judgy folks in my life and you shouldn't either, hell, most folks wouldn't have gotten all that done in a weekend! You go woman

 

[z3lda3]

So I've never posted my coop & run. For a reason... I've noticed people can be a little judgy or make a lot of comments about what you did wrong. Well, I figured this was a safe space since this is my thread and only nice people are here haha. I do welcome constructive criticism if anyone has inputs.

Here's what I started with:
View attachment 4102330

Here's the small adjustments over time:
View attachment 4102336
View attachment 4102337
View attachment 4102338

And I've been working all weekend on expanding with an open air coop on the opposite side of the traditional coop:
View attachment 4102340
View attachment 4102341View attachment 4102342

Everything is covered in hardware cloth with a skirt around the perimeter. I plan on adding nest boxes (which I'll need similar to the current ones because my loved ones refuse to enter the coop) and I'm going to collect rain water from the roof and feed it back into the coop with horizontal nipples.

I currently have 10 hens and 8 pullets. They free range for several hours in the afternoon. Well, the hens do.. the pullets will eventually.

It’s a beautiful coop. Did you say one weekend?? That’s impressive! I’ll do updates, like I’ll make one window over the weekend lol.
Can I ask, why aren’t you free ranging your pullets? I’m NOT judging, but I have 10 week old pullets I free range with the hens. (It’s supervised free ranging, I have a hawk that lives right behind the yard.) I’m just asking to know if I’M doing something wrong.

 

[WingItRanch]

Very nice! And I love how your coop matches your barn! I have no room for judgy folks in my life and you shouldn't either, hell, most folks wouldn't have gotten all that done in a weekend! You go woman

Thanks, Jessi! Haha yeah that barn was a shed that came with the property and I commandeered it and made it look like a "traditional" barn. One day I'll put stalls for the goats that I don't have but definitely want.

 

[Bawkbok]

While we await Wingit's reply, I can tell you I recently started free ranging my pullets and we are limited to only 4 hens in this zip code so much smaller number but I can tell you when they all split up as they sometimes do, it's difficult to keep track of everyone. I can't imagine doing it with 18 if solo.

 

[WingItRanch]

It’s a beautiful coop. Did you say one weekend?? That’s impressive! I’ll do updates, like I’ll make one window over the weekend lol.
Can I ask, why aren’t you free ranging your pullets? I’m NOT judging, but I have 10 week old pullets I free range with the hens. (It’s supervised free ranging, I have a hawk that lives right behind the yard.) I’m just asking to know if I’M doing something wrong.

The red coop and original run was done last year. I only did the add-on this weekend!

As for the pullets, I just have trust issues lol. I'm not sure I'd ever get them back once they explore. I have 10 acres unfenced with heavy woods behind the coop. I'll let them free range with the adult hens once I integrate. I figured you'll probably stick close.

 

[z3lda3]

While we await Wingit's reply, I can tell you I recently started free ranging my pullets and we are limited to only 4 hens in this zip code so much smaller number but I can tell you when they all split up as they sometimes do, it's difficult to keep track of everyone. I can't imagine doing it with 18 if solo.

I’ve got 22 total, but I’ve got a rooster who is phenomenal. He does a great job at herding the girls. My area is also fenced in, and that helps.

 

[WingItRanch]

While we await Wingit's reply, I can tell you I recently started free ranging my pullets and we are limited to only 4 hens in this zip code so much smaller number but I can tell you when they all split up as they sometimes do, it's difficult to keep track of everyone. I can't imagine doing it with 18 if solo.

Oh man... what was I thinking getting 18?! Hahaha

When I count them, I do it by breed. 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1.

 

[z3lda3]

The red coop and original run was done last year. I only did the add-on this weekend!

As for the pullets, I just have trust issues lol. I'm not sure I'd ever get them back once they explore. I have 10 acres unfenced with heavy woods behind the coop. I'll let them free range with the adult hens once I integrate. I figured you'll probably stick close.

Ahhh ok, I’ve only got 2.5 acres and it’s fenced in. Big difference!
Also you ONLY did the add on this weekend?? I repeat, that’s impressive! It’s fantastic!

 

[z3lda3]

Oh man... what was I thinking getting 18?! Hahaha

When I count them, I do it by breed. 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1.

Me too!! 4, 4, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

 

[Bawkbok]

I find our hen goes off and does her own thing. The pullets might follow, they might not. Often they are oblivious to where she is. If they would stick with her they would learn the best places and things to eat. Mostly they are just goofy teenagers and spend their energy running around, flying needlessly burning up energy and chicken tussling with each other. Eventually they all meet up but my time is spent watching them to ensure they don't injure themselves. Mine cannot be trusted to return to the coop on command so they only get out for two hours pre roost, when I know for certain they'll return 'home'. The hen gets out various times of the day - special privileges as she is well trained.