We currently have 6 chickens. We raised them as chicks. 3 are Brown Isa's and 3 are Black Stars. We got them from Tractor Supply and they are doing great so far!
After raising them inside our home for several weeks, we moved them outside to their coop/run. Below are pics of our coop.
We bought a 4x6 Keter shed from Amazon. We didn't use the plexiglass for the window and instead, screwed up some hardware cloth for added ventilation. We added screws to the air vents to make sure they were secure. A wooden 1x4 is their roost bar inside. I use wood chips inside for now, but may switch to sand.
The run is a 10x10 kennel that we ordered from Tractor Supply. I secured it to the ground and added extra protection by burying some welded wire 12 inches into the soil and also skirting it. I then added the rocks for even more protection from digging and for decoration. The top of the run is covered by netting to prevent predators from above.
Since this picture was taken, I have also added 2 tarps to provide some shade in half of the run and to give the chickens a dry place to hang out if it's raining and they are in the run. The door to the coop has a lock and I also put a carbiner clip through it at night. The same for the lock on the run. Their food is in the Rubbermaid container so that it remains dry. I also put the lid on it at night to prevent critters from eating their food. We placed the coop/run in an area with a lot of natural shade from the trees to keep them cool in the summer months. Our chickens free range in our yard unless we are not home. This has worked really well for us so far and we may expand next year by getting more kennel panels and another shed. Another idea is to do the same set-up for ducks!
Other farm animals we have: 4 Shetland sheep, 4 barn cats, 2 Welsh Harlequin ducks, 1 Chiweenie
**Update/Edit - We have added 2 bent hog panels over the top of the run with wire and tarps to provide more shade, protection, and cover from rain/snow. The hog panels are heavy-duty and do not bend or sag under the weight of rain or snow. The curved bend allows all precipitation to just roll off. We learned this the hard way during our first winter when heavy piles of snow that fell quickly began weighing down the tarps and it was very difficult to remove.**
**Update/Edit - We have two of these coops/runs set up and they have been working great. I have two separate flocks (1 with 7 hens and 1 rooster and the other with 8 hens and 2 ducks) My original 6 chickens have since moved on to another farm and I have all new birds that we got in the spring and summer of 2022. I have added large branches as perches in the runs, as well as, an old patio table, a ladder, and some hay bales. Everyone seems very happy. I hope to give them some free ranging time once the weather warms up and the threat of hawks isn't as high. Thanks for checking out my coop/run.
**Future Plans - Have a bigger poultry operation with nearly 40 birds. Looking to get 2 large coops with attached runs. Will use these two initial runs to house the ducks and possibly turkeys. Will update when plans are underway.
After raising them inside our home for several weeks, we moved them outside to their coop/run. Below are pics of our coop.
We bought a 4x6 Keter shed from Amazon. We didn't use the plexiglass for the window and instead, screwed up some hardware cloth for added ventilation. We added screws to the air vents to make sure they were secure. A wooden 1x4 is their roost bar inside. I use wood chips inside for now, but may switch to sand.
The run is a 10x10 kennel that we ordered from Tractor Supply. I secured it to the ground and added extra protection by burying some welded wire 12 inches into the soil and also skirting it. I then added the rocks for even more protection from digging and for decoration. The top of the run is covered by netting to prevent predators from above.
Since this picture was taken, I have also added 2 tarps to provide some shade in half of the run and to give the chickens a dry place to hang out if it's raining and they are in the run. The door to the coop has a lock and I also put a carbiner clip through it at night. The same for the lock on the run. Their food is in the Rubbermaid container so that it remains dry. I also put the lid on it at night to prevent critters from eating their food. We placed the coop/run in an area with a lot of natural shade from the trees to keep them cool in the summer months. Our chickens free range in our yard unless we are not home. This has worked really well for us so far and we may expand next year by getting more kennel panels and another shed. Another idea is to do the same set-up for ducks!
Other farm animals we have: 4 Shetland sheep, 4 barn cats, 2 Welsh Harlequin ducks, 1 Chiweenie
**Update/Edit - We have added 2 bent hog panels over the top of the run with wire and tarps to provide more shade, protection, and cover from rain/snow. The hog panels are heavy-duty and do not bend or sag under the weight of rain or snow. The curved bend allows all precipitation to just roll off. We learned this the hard way during our first winter when heavy piles of snow that fell quickly began weighing down the tarps and it was very difficult to remove.**
**Update/Edit - We have two of these coops/runs set up and they have been working great. I have two separate flocks (1 with 7 hens and 1 rooster and the other with 8 hens and 2 ducks) My original 6 chickens have since moved on to another farm and I have all new birds that we got in the spring and summer of 2022. I have added large branches as perches in the runs, as well as, an old patio table, a ladder, and some hay bales. Everyone seems very happy. I hope to give them some free ranging time once the weather warms up and the threat of hawks isn't as high. Thanks for checking out my coop/run.
**Future Plans - Have a bigger poultry operation with nearly 40 birds. Looking to get 2 large coops with attached runs. Will use these two initial runs to house the ducks and possibly turkeys. Will update when plans are underway.
