working on my run and coop update and pics (3/31)

[LarryPQ]

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"alot" huh? You must be an ASU grad.

GO WILDCATS!!!!

 

[CityChook]

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"alot" huh? You must be an ASU grad.

GO WILDCATS!!!!

ah, that's just mean.

But since I've been gone now for over 20 years, I guess I can take it. Alot.
Go Devils.

And Joel, you don't have to remind me of how perfect Spring in AZ is.... February/March were always my favorites. We're in the tundra here but it's 50 today with the sun shinin' and I couldn't be more thilled. After 5 months of snow, the grass is finally out from under the snowcover and starting to green up.

BTW, raccoons live in the city (at least HERE they do), unfortunately, and can get through chicken wire. Just be careful.

Keep the pictures coming!

 

[rriveramri]

Wow

Very nice design. I wish I had made my run taller like yours.

 

[chickerdoodle]

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I'm in the middle of the city my only threats are my dogs, cats and birds of prey. The whole thing will be roofed and wire to the top, that should take care of the cats and birds. My dogs keep the cats out of the yard as well. My dogs have never been diggers so I'm hoping that that will continue to be the case, the only one that has ever dug is already over the chickens and the one that is still interested in them has never dug. I debated using hardware cloth but I decided that in my situation the cost outweighed the benefit,we'll see.

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You know It's freaking beautiful here right now, although it has been a really wet spring (for us).

You don't have raccoons?!? How lucky is that?!! Those suckers can rip chicken wire apart and grab birds through piece by piece (~ooo~shudder~) through any hardware cloth openings bigger than 1/2"!
The coop looks great otherwise--similar to what we are going to build

. We went back and forth on whether to use a gable roof or slanted one--finally decided on gable for looks (we are in the suburbs). We also finally broke down and decided to put in a cement floor in the run (its permanent) to prevent diggers (rats too-those little devils) and add 4-6 inches of playground sand over it. Whether its 4 or 6 depends on how deep the chickies like it. It is a bit of a hassle as we have to frame it in so as not to lose too much sand they may kick out. Well if the chickes don't work out it'll be nice enough to rent out as a studio apt with a cement patio!

Best of luck with your new chicks!!

 

[joel david]

No coons for sure, but Hawks are a very real threat where I live despite how urban it is. I know it seems like every one on this forum has raccoons and I know on my various family members farms across Minnesota coons and skunks are big pests.

I'm really happy with how it's turning out. I'm trying to decide whether to paint the coop or stain it the same as the run, the roof will be green Suntuff.

 

[LarryPQ]

Paint it with something super-glossy. I think that keeps better in the heat?

 

[joel david]

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I think it's going to be purple, so far it's the only input my wife has had so If she wants it purple I'll probably make it purple.

 

[LarryPQ]

I painted my nesting boxes purple...The Eggplant.

 

[joel david]

I put the roof on and put the floor in the coop. I also made a ramp for them, I hope it's wide enough and not to steep, it seems like they need more rungs on it. I also put my roosts in I have on at 24" and one at 18" The little "cheater is at 12" I put it there because I wasn't sure if the chicks could get up that high yet. I still need to paint and do my nest box, I have some holes that need wire and I think I want to put lights/power in it. They are eating a lot of food, I either need a new feeder or to make one. I also need to figure out what I want to do about an automatic waterer. Oh, and I need to cut a clean out door and put a board across the front to keep litter in.

fixed pics

 

[rriveramri]

I think you ramp will be fine. I just put mine in and it is 4 feet off the ground. They were a little hesitant at first but now are using it regularly.