Building a coop for Southern California

[sdsharko]

After purchasing a coop on ebay I feel its only right to make a more sturdy and user friendly structure for my 3 orphs. Wanted any input/pics on what design would be best for San Diego weather. Thanks in advance...

 

[SouthernCalBeachChick]

It might help if you post pictures of the coop you purchased sowe can suggest modifications. As a fellow Southern California resident, I would definitely suggest substituting chicken wire for hardware cloth. With our climate you'll have more issues with predators rather than climate.

 

[sdsharko]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Deluxe-Large-Wood-Chicken-Coop-Poultry-Hen-House-NEW-/110723966862?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c7a9a78e

This is my current coop, I'm having trouble posting a picture so hopefully the link will work. I'm thinking its too small for 3 orphs? or do you think it is sufficent? I have used hardware cloth underneath the coop, and drove rebar post down and ziptied the coop to the rebar so that it could not be knocked over.

 

[bloom_ss]

Looks like the ones they sell at our local feed store. They say on the label that they fit up to 4 standard size chickens, but honestly, I wouldn't put more than two in one of those things...and even that is pushing it. You might be able to get away with three in there if you enlarge the run...maybe.

 

[teach1rusl]

Are your chickens young now? Because I have a hard time seeing three grown buff orpingtons squeezing their big butts into the 2x2 housing (a little smaller than that actually). That's barely more than a sq. ft. each!!!
On the plus side, the tiny run (which is about half of the minimum recommended for run space for three birds) is covered. So I would keep what you have here, and build on a much roomier run. With your weather, this tiny coop (including the run) could serve as the "housing." Is this thing totally covered in hardware cloth?? Does it feel flimsy??? I'm just wondering if your run is not covered, and the birds spent the night NOT in the enclosed housing, would they still be safe??

 

[Carols Clucks]

I am also from SoCal

I would use what you already have and just add run space to it.

If is it super low to the ground, you could probably put it on some pier blocks to raise it up and make it easier to clean etc. Or just build a frame with feet to raise it taller.

Then add a lot of run space to the current run.

If you are worried about security, you could make it some kind of hinged pop door in to the new run and lock them in the old section at night.

Don't forget if you raise the current one to use hardware cloth at the bottom to keep critters out, even in the city there are skunks, raccoon and opossum in addition to dogs etc.

If your chickens are getting too much wind or sun, you might want to cover a side of the current coop too

But the chickens here are really more worried about heat than cold.

 

[sdsharko]

Thanks for all the input, they are only 3 months old so I should have time for them to live in the current coop while I build the new one. Now I have to pick a coop style that is suitable for my climate and get building. Any pictures of coops that would do well in a southern california climate would be appreciated as I plan on building this weekend.

 

[sixxchixx]

I live in Escondido and was more concerned with the heat than predators. We have racoons and ferrell cats but never a problem. we orig. built this run/coop to keep 4 hens in all day/night. the large box on the right was supposed to be their coop (read: for sleeping) that quickly became their extra large egg box and they sleep in the "run" on the roosts. I let them free range all day in the 90sqft. fenced in chicken yard and we close them in the 8X8 box at night. I also have an old patio umbrella out in their yard for extra protection. the "coop" has a sunshade screening over half the top of the coop.

By tawny4585 at 2010-09-13

By tawny4585 at 2010-09-13

 

[Chickengnome]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=100535

My tool shed was modified into a coop. Most would be chicken wranglers can handle a little hard work. I looked at pictures on the net and through some of my chicken basic books and managed to meet my goal of having something both secure and fun to look at.
I live where coyotes and flying predators are a problem;let alone my own dogs and cats. We went for the total enclosure for better peace of mind and ultimate security.

Check out the link above for "My Page"
Make it your own. Good luck!

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Check out the Garden Coop at www.thegardencoop.com. The plans are very easy to follow and take you step by step through the build. I've seen three of these in person.

Also, a new book, Backyard Chickens Guide to Coops and Tractors, is coming out in just a couple of weeks featuring pictures, detailed drawings, and written descriptions of the construction process. The best thing is that all of the coops in this book are Backyardchickens.com member coops. Here's the link for it on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Chic...=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313257287&sr=1-1

And then of course there is the book Building Chicken Coops for Dummies by our illustrious host here on backyardchickens.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Building-Chic...=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1314025088&sr=1-2