Coop rethink

[redinator]

Yes something like that will work. Just be sure their roosting and nesting area will stay dry.
And don't forget your predator proofing.

the only predators I'm concerned about is hawks . . my two dogs take their jobs of keeping other critters in check very seriously.

 

[KyCoop]

I would still do predator proofing so you don't wake up to a coop full of headless chickens or a really fat snake too big to get back out.

 

[redinator]

I would still do predator proofing so you don't wake up to a coop full of headless chickens or a really fat snake too big to get back out.

The majority of my yard is surrounded by a 6ft high privacy fence with pavers under the perimeter to prevent my dogs from digging out, which has the added benefit of keeping most critters out.

The only snakes I've seen are garter snakes and my dogs eat those for snacks, no joke . . .

The run sits on a concrete border that used to be a patio area, but we never used it so I put the run there to prevent possible digging into the run/coop.

Aside from needing to put up bird netting to prevent aerial attacks, if/when we decide to free-range, and possibly adding bird spikes to the perimeter fence . . . what else should I consider?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Are your dogs outside all night? A weasel or raccoon can easily scale most 6 foot fences. Do I see a gap at the bottom of the run between the metal tubing and the 4x4s?

 

[webrx]

I am rethinking my main coop as well. Have a 10x20 run and am in the planning stage but already have the materials to build a 4x8 slanted roof coop to the end of it. That way they still have the run to hang out in for hawk protection and a larger coop to accommodate chicken math.

 

[webrx]

My run is currently connected to a TS Guardian coop and we have 8 girls and a rooster. Just started unwrapping it as weather is starting to warm up.

 

[redinator]

Are your dogs outside all night? A weasel or raccoon can easily scale most 6 foot fences. Do I see a gap at the bottom of the run between the metal tubing and the 4x4s?

There's a dog door and they come and go. Since we got the chicks my husky mix goes out anytime she hears them scurrying around.

I plan to put hardware cloth around the bottom edge once the run is back in it's permanent spot. We had some issues with water pooling in a few spots where the run was, so we moved it over to grade/slope the area better.

ETA: would it be a good idea to use gravel in the run for better drainage, or just sand/soil?

 

[redinator]

My run is currently connected to a TS Guardian coop and we have 8 girls and a rooster. Just started unwrapping it as weather is starting to warm up.

Here the heat and humidity area bigger problem than colder weather. I see a lot of nice coops, but I couldn't imagine being enclosed in anything that doesn't have full on HVAC, lol.

 

[StinkyAcres]

ETA: would it be a good idea to use gravel in the run for better drainage, or just sand/soil?

Gravel could hurt their feet and it is not very natural for chickens to forage in. It is best to keep organic material on the run floor as that is what chickens prefer and it helps break down their poop better than gravel or sand.

 

[redinator]

Gravel could hurt their feet and it is not very natural for chickens to forage in. It is best to keep organic material on the run floor as that is what chickens prefer and it helps break down their poop better than gravel or sand.

I'm thinking of using this pelletized bedding used for horses: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...Zicm1zLuYq15VaQxQJ8fC5yZ3xPAcLscaAk7WEALw_wcB since I read on here somewhere that it's really good at absorbing moisture in high humidity areas . . .like southern Louisiana, lol.