Chickens.

Hi All,

More recycling/bargains for the coop today. We had some new equipment at work and all the ply wood packaging was going in the skip. So I have managed to get 15 sheets of 12mm 4foot by 2.5 foot and 4 sheets 2.5 foot square for a fiver donation to the company charity. I will use them for floor, possibly the roof and then backing the interior of coop, 12mm is a little bit thicker than I wanted, but at that price I think I will cope.

Regards
Rusty

 

Hi All,

I am going for a modified version of this design for the new coop and run but with internal nest boxes.


Only problem is that they all have solid roofs on, which I don't want. I want to put a clear roof on so that it keeps the run dry and let's light in. On the designs I have found like in the picture the coop goes up to the roof so this would mean that the coop will be light during sunlight.
I am thinking of cutting the height of the coop by a foot or so and putting ply covered in feather edge board or maybe just the feather edge as the slight gaps may aid ventilation. This will then be covered with corrugated plastic roof sheets so should be waterproof. I would use onduline or alike, but it will be a bit of a nightmare to make sure there are no gaps for rodents etc could get through.
Do you think this would be ok?
I know have all the materials except for the roof and am hoping to get started in the next few weeks.

Rusty

 

It looks great @rustyroots

 

My first thought on this would be the rigidity of the clear roof. Having ply roof does made it just a bit harder for Mr Fox to break in.

On that note, I had a coop similar to that for my broodies. See that lovely nest box on the side? Lovely and secure (had its own padlock too ). You're now expecting me to say Mr Fox broke in to it aren't you
Oh no, far more canny than that ... Foxy managed to get at them by going up through the base of the nest box! Something to bear in mind.

 

Hi M

The nest boxes will be internal so hopefully no problem there and the plastic roof will have wire under it. This is how I did the roof on my old run and never had any bother from mr fox who lived under next doors apple tree.

Rusty

 

My pots of Mizuna winter salad leaves in the greenhouse have all bolted with the arrival of spring.

So time for the hens to have a little spring treat. My version of chicken in a pot ...

 

I've lost countless chicks to foxes over the years but i've just had an opportunity to move out to a more quiet place with a bit more space for building a proper infrastructure that will keep them safe (hopefully). any tips of what materials i should be using to make sure that Frida and Helen (the names of my next brood) don't get snapped?

 

Hi Theresa Pankhurst,

Not suite how much room you have to build your run. You can lay a slab base so that no predators can dig under and into the run, this is what I did on my first run. To stop predators digging under you can also dig down and sink wire mesh to stop them. I have my new run surrounded on 3 sides by slabs and patio and on the third will try and sink mesh, but may have to lay slabs if the tree roots prove difficult. You will also need good quality weld mesh, not chicken wire as a determined fox can chew through. You will also need this on the roof. I would suggest that you built it sothat you can stand in it to clean, feed, spend time with girls. I have gone for a different approach this time and have concreted 3x3 fence posts into ground and will set 4x2's at 3 ft and 6 ft to staple weld mesh to. Also using 4x2's for roof to support the corrugated sheets. The coop is going to be made of 2x2's for framing and 15mm treated T&G to cover it with 12mm ply on the other side for interior walls of coop. I will also make an auto opening door on a timer. The whole lot will be treated timber with a couple of coats of creosote on.

Rusty

 

Hi All,

I thought I would post some pictures of my progress on the new coop and run.


Rusty

 

Great job @rustyroots

 

Now here's a bloke with a different approach to keeping chickens.

Monique, the French hen.

 

Ahh, one chicken and her nutter

 

I wonder if my girls would like to go on an adventure?

 

Hi All,

Managed to get rear panel and one side panel built and first coated tonight. The back panel is not I place properly yet as I need to put the ply wood on the inside.


My weld mesh was delivered today, but I wasn't in so the driver put it in the plastic toy shed in the back garden, but they have smashed the door in the process.

Rusty

 

Looking good @rustyroots.

Oh my goodness fancy the delivery driver smashing up the door to the plastic toy shed , I hope you have complained to the delivery company .