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  1. perkolator

    Small shelter within run; material?

    I was going to make one of these this year with a piece of scrap metal roofing that isn’t really big enough for anything else. I was originally laying it on top of the run overhead fencing to give shade. I don’t feel the edges are sharper than other things the chickens are exposed to regularly -...
  2. perkolator

    Coop Roof OSB

    I still have my old chicken coop, and most of it's made with OSB plywood. The roof just has shingles laid directly on top, without any underlayment tar paper. I'd guess the structure is at least 20yrs old. Keep in mind this is CA where we hardly get rain, but I also see MANY house builds in...
  3. perkolator

    Ideas on connecting coop to run? Follow up to first post!

    Make a simple "door frame" so you can have an open section in the middle of the screened wall. Add crossbars horizontally on the run structure at roofline height you want, then add two vertical bars below inline with the width of the coop; fence everything that will be enclosed. If there's a...
  4. perkolator

    16x16 Run Roof or No Roof Suggestions

    A center beam and posts would likely help, yes. 1x2 welded wire should be sufficient for the majority of predators out there, but there are some that can fit through those openings if you have them, such as weasel-type predators. 1/2" hardware cloth is usually the recommended protection from...
  5. perkolator

    16x16 Run Roof or No Roof Suggestions

    Just to add to the comments above....if you're adding more structural components for a roof, you'll also likely want to improve the foundation, since I only see 2x4s and they're in direct soil contact
  6. perkolator

    Number of coops

    Another agreement, you only need one coop. It also doesn't need to have any power nearby, so you've got options with 4ac of space. Auto doors such as the Run Chicken ones will allow you to setup the timing like you mentioned, having one open at sunrise to let them into the run, and a second...
  7. perkolator

    I'm looking for ideas for a way to build a simple tree bench for protection below

    Is that specifically what you want/need for the situation? To build one of those for a larger tree is essentially like fabricating a raised deck. IMO that's a pretty costly build just for overhead protection and a place to sit. If you need temporary protection, look into something like a free...
  8. perkolator

    Logistics - is a fully enclosed run necessary?

    Sure you can do that. Might be ok for a while, even years perhaps - but that first time you go outside and feel the heartbreak when you see feathers everywhere and your favorite chickens dead or missing, you'll wish you just spent another $100-500 in whatever materials and invested another day...
  9. perkolator

    What to treat wood with??

    Just taking a guess at what you were referencing - boiled linseed oil. Pretty commonly used for wood finishing, often diluted with mineral spirits or turpentine so it soaks into the wood better; sometimes also blended with beeswax or an oil based varnish/urethane to give finishing effects and...
  10. perkolator

    How much run space for 10 medium/large breed chickens?

    Personally I'd fence between the two properties, because having 20acres and locking them up most of the time just doesn't seem right to me. My property is bordered with 7.5ft Tenax deer fence and T-posts, and the chickens can't get over it. When I planned my coop out, I wanted at least 10sq ft...
  11. perkolator

    Run vs Coop for nesting boxes

    The boxes my chickens prefer is the one built underneath the coop only accessible from the run
  12. perkolator

    Automatic Chicken Door for Limited Space

    I like the Run Chicken door. I don't see a problem with installing that style door there with the window - simply space it out the same distance as the window trim using furring strips and the door should pass just in front of it. Something to keep in mind is the height off the floor if you're...
  13. perkolator

    fruiting hedge/bush for chickens?

    Are you trying to plant this inside their run, or a perimeter outside the run, or in your yard, etc? Anything inside the run must be caged/protected or they'll kill it sooner than later. I'm in 9b and have many types of plants the chickens can eat when foraging. Mainly they'll only go for...
  14. perkolator

    Where do you guys keep your supplies?

    Previous owners used metal trash cans to store all their supplies - while it does work to keep out raccoons and mice from eating it, it doesn't fully keep out moisture - eventually the bottoms may rust out if in ground contact, and more likely the handle connection of the lid may leak water, get...
  15. perkolator

    Decomposed Granite vs Sand

    Personally I wouldn't choose either, but in regard to using DG, I do know that DG will compact, whereas sand will stay looser - that's why it gets used on pathways and running tracks, etc. as the base. Previous owners of my place had the old coop setup with a DG run, since our local dirt is...
  16. perkolator

    Plywood brooding box (help)

    Dad is right, more ventilation is a good thing. Cool idea and great project execution, but is IS quite small and will be outgrown quickly. Dunno what you have for a coop setup, but I could see this box getting repurposed as nesting boxes. Good luck!
  17. perkolator

    Advice needed for predator proofing this

    Arborist mulch should help elevate and keep their feet from being in mud all day -- however from your pics, the terrain looks to all be graded so water will be directed toward your chicken area - I'd assume wetter terrain will always be an issue with this location. The trees would definitely...
  18. perkolator

    Garden Mulch

    I don't think I'd use any rubber mulch on my property, ever. Same with the dyed mulch junk. According to the person at my local waste facility -- they separate the "dead wood"/pallet wood/lumber from the green waste - green waste gets shredded and composted and sold to customers, the "dead"...
  19. perkolator

    Advice needed for predator proofing this

    Since you know that you have small predators such as weasels and fishers, you're basically going to want 1/2" hardware cloth for all your fencing, including any overhead protection. Because of your wooded acreage and coop location away from residence, I would reinforce walls with a heavier...
  20. perkolator

    pressure treated lumber?

    I would probably not use them for either application, due to whatever chemicals used in PT lumber might off-gas in the tight space of a nest box, and from direct foot contact of chickens roosting on PT lumber every night maybe causing a skin issue.
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