Run attached to garage help

[MACCanadianCoop]

Thank you! I haven't seen raccoons out in the daytime so I didn't even consider the possibility. And honestly I wasn't thinking about when we're not home; I've never had outdoor animals before, so I guess my mindset needs a bit of a shift (I've only ever had cats and dogs, who stay in the house when we're not home). Thank you so much for the reality check!!

Happy to help

 

[Ebony Rose]

A sheet or two of zinc roofing material for part of the overhead will provide deep shade for your flock and will last upwards of 20 years. With a couple of 2x4s mounted horizontally you could mount it at an angle from the eaves of the garage sloping down to the nearby fence, directing both rain and snow away from the garage.

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh! Also, we are in Quincy, IL. Gardening zone 6a.

So you'll need to consider snow-load for anything you do then.

Can you get cattle panels in your area? Hoop coops made with cattle panel are generally considered the easiest coops to build and also to be highly cost-effective.

Unfortunately, the only truly inexpensive coops are the ones cobbled together from scrap and reclaimed materials by people with enough time to do it and enough experience to make it work.

Hoop Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

 

[Sally PB]

Pallets can be a source for lumber. Another thing I learned is when whatever you're building is done, paint it. Paint helps hide the imperfections that are inevitable with reclaimed or left over lumber. A 5 gallon bucket of white exterior paint will last a loooong time if you keep it sealed up and don't let it freeze.

 

[aart]

Will the coop be in the garage, or separate?
Have you looked at any setback regulations for keeping chickens in your area?
That is a narrow space, and is the fence on your property line?

I had designed a really great run (including shade,) it just was so expensive, that I started to think of other options.

Secure and functional housing for chickens is not cheep(haha).

we are in Quincy, IL.

Welcome to BYC! @Cg1979
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Will they have a coop? Since yall will get snow