- Jan 4, 2016
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This is new this year- this week, in fact, lol. Our coop is inside the barn and there is a 10' x 40' run just outside which the chickens access through a window in the barn wall. I normally close the window and install a second window on the outside of the barn to help block the crazy north winds that whip alongside the barn- but then the flock is stuck inside for the winter.
My friend gave me three used cattle panels last week and I came up with this design using materials that we had on hand- the only thing I had to purchase was two clear tarps to cover it. The tunnel is 12'x8' which gives almost 100 sq ft of space, which with plenty of deep bedding is perfect for my eight chickens along with the 100 sq ft of indoor coop space.
Hubby and I put the tarps on today- after 2-3 days of light snow. sigh. I need to dress the tarp on the end opposite the barn after I find a ratchet strap to secure it with- right now it is tied on with old hay strings. Because we literally just threw this together and weren't sure if it would work or not until we saw it- and it will!- we did not take the time to cut a door where the window is, and we won't do it now because it is too cold out- but I already told hubby that I want to do that for next year. For now, if I need to get inside the tunnel once it is complete, I will have to unfasten the ratchet strap and go in through the end opposite the barn. But I should not have to, not after I get a few bags of leaves and some horse manure dumped in there for the chickens to scratch through, and for bedding- which I will do after the snow melts, hopefully in the next couple of days. Next year, after we cut a door in the wall, I will be able to walk right into the tunnel from the coop- easy peasy!
Note, because I know someone will ask- I am planning to wrap the tarps fairly tight around the cattle panels - not worried about it heating up too much as the hot air should flow right into the coop through the window, providing a little extra daytime warmth during our 40-below-zero winter. I will also be adding some bags of leaves or sawdust around the base of the tunnel to block drafts from coming in under the tarps. I had a similar setup for a few years that was up near the house, but it was a freestanding cattle panel hoop house that we could move around- never had a problem with it and I also kept rabbits in cages that were hung above the floor where the chickens run around. But, if it turns out that I am wrong I can always provide for more ventilation as needed.
My friend gave me three used cattle panels last week and I came up with this design using materials that we had on hand- the only thing I had to purchase was two clear tarps to cover it. The tunnel is 12'x8' which gives almost 100 sq ft of space, which with plenty of deep bedding is perfect for my eight chickens along with the 100 sq ft of indoor coop space.
Hubby and I put the tarps on today- after 2-3 days of light snow. sigh. I need to dress the tarp on the end opposite the barn after I find a ratchet strap to secure it with- right now it is tied on with old hay strings. Because we literally just threw this together and weren't sure if it would work or not until we saw it- and it will!- we did not take the time to cut a door where the window is, and we won't do it now because it is too cold out- but I already told hubby that I want to do that for next year. For now, if I need to get inside the tunnel once it is complete, I will have to unfasten the ratchet strap and go in through the end opposite the barn. But I should not have to, not after I get a few bags of leaves and some horse manure dumped in there for the chickens to scratch through, and for bedding- which I will do after the snow melts, hopefully in the next couple of days. Next year, after we cut a door in the wall, I will be able to walk right into the tunnel from the coop- easy peasy!
Note, because I know someone will ask- I am planning to wrap the tarps fairly tight around the cattle panels - not worried about it heating up too much as the hot air should flow right into the coop through the window, providing a little extra daytime warmth during our 40-below-zero winter. I will also be adding some bags of leaves or sawdust around the base of the tunnel to block drafts from coming in under the tarps. I had a similar setup for a few years that was up near the house, but it was a freestanding cattle panel hoop house that we could move around- never had a problem with it and I also kept rabbits in cages that were hung above the floor where the chickens run around. But, if it turns out that I am wrong I can always provide for more ventilation as needed.
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