Time to fly - er I mean - build a coop...

**gbarmranch** · 08-20-2008, 09:34 AM

I have just purchased a large size older model dog run which I am going to make into a chicken coop in anticipation of a few next spring.. Because of the coyotes, neighbor's stupid dogs, and our own canines..

I can not let them run totally free... I will be putting chicken wire on the bottom to keep out the racoons and possums, as well as on the top to keep out critters and hawks.. This will be topped by black plastic shade material - and it will be placed by a tree that will give it both sun and shade..

Now I need to plan my coop...

I would appreciate any and all ideas on what works - etc.. I am looking to have no more then 6 Road Island reds.. more as pets then anything..

Ferronsgranny · 08-20-2008, 11:55 AM

If you can put adjustable wheels on it, you can make it a moveable pen. You need nesting boxes built at least 6 inches off the ground and have a wooden bar fo they can rooster at least 1/2 way up the dog run. I do have the rooster(RIR) for you or 4 mixed breed chicks you can have. My rooster is knowledgable about hawks and knows how to sound the alarm if they are near.

BarnBum · 08-20-2008, 12:01 PM

Chain link has some pretty big openings, I would definatly put some form of wire around it also b/c the coons can reach in and grab your chickens. It is very common down here when people place their birds on their porches or outside for some fresh air. I was in the feed store the other day and over heard a guy talking about losing 'another' bird to coons .... Most recent was a macaw. Chain link has bigger gaps than bird cages, so if they can get into a bird cage, they can get into chain link. Not to mention the coons will do anything to get into the pens for the eggs. I would definatly consider some wire aroud the outside of the chainlink.

**gbarmranch** · 08-20-2008, 12:11 PM

Great idea.. I am going to have to put chicken wire all over it then..

Mary, where am I going to keep them for a week while in Yuma..

I think we are going to use the big old shed next to the small pony paddock - I need to redo the roof, build nesting boxes (any quick tips on these) and a ramp - along with new doors - so that they can have safe access inside and out to their pen..

Do you keep a heat lamp in there for them during cold weather..

The last chickens and roosters we had, were free range in AZ.. it didn't get that cold there..

version1955 · 08-20-2008, 12:23 PM

There's cold weather in TN??

I'd watch them to see how they're doing but I would allow for a heat lamp or perhaps safer would be if you could get some stray pieces of styrofoam and build a little box for them to cuddle in. Nothing too cramped and perhaps open at both ends inside the coop. You don't want the first one in getting smothered. Just some ideas. I've kept chickens through the winter with a heat lamp but I had a larger building and more chickens even though we get a tad chillier than you folks.

**gbarmranch** · 08-20-2008, 12:24 PM

This is a big old shed.. it needs a new floor, roof, change of doors, and a ramp for them to enter.. I was worried that it might get too cold for them in the winter with out one..

Ferronsgranny · 08-20-2008, 12:28 PM

Val. I'll meet you somewhere on the way back so they can have a new home.

I am incubating 30 eggs right now. I took them away from momma hen as the others kept laying more on her nest when she would get out to eat and poop. If they hatch before you leave Arizona I can give you a few

more.
I can give you a dozen or two eggs to take with you for at least a couple of meals while out in Arizona. I am getting 9 eggs a day form my 9 hens. Yep they are all laying everyday.

**gbarmranch** · 08-20-2008, 12:29 PM

Holy cow..

That's a lot of chickies..

It won't be ready until the end of September.. you may just have to come up and visit to drop them off..

farmergal · 08-21-2008, 12:46 AM

I'm so excited

My birds are getting a coop tomorrow or should I say today.

In 12 hours. Yippee!!!! Our barn is being delivered then. My plans are to make the coop 8 foot by 8 foot with a 4 foot long nest box that is accessible from outside the coop. The box will have 4 nests. I haven't decided how high off the ground I want it. I know from experience that the hens tend to prefer nest high off the ground. Same with their roost. I know they feel safest when they can roost 6 feet up or higher. I'll have the waterer outdoors in the flight for now but come winter I'll place it in the coop.

While preparing the old barn for the new addition we stirred a rat from his home so that reminded me that I need to keep them in mind when building my new coop. I have eight barn cats....why do I have rats?

If you want eggs come winter remember that chickens are stimulated to lay in longer photo periods so a light is a must. I don't think a heat lamp is as important for the bird as it is in keeping their water from freezing. So if you choose to use one, hang it near the waterer.

Sawdust, pine shavings or straw on the floor and in the nest is important for clean eggs and healthy birds.

You want to make cleaning and feeding as easy as possible. Otherwise keeping chickens is a real chore.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Chicken coop	SheriK	Farm Animal	9	06-25-2008 01:24 PM
First Hatch For Chaz's Chicken Coop! Update 5~17	ChazsNewDestiny	Farm Animal	10	05-17-2008 05:26 PM
New chicken coop and Pictures!	ChazsNewDestiny	Farm Animal	7	08-17-2007 01:00 PM
First time w/fly spray	dixie	Health & Nutrition	15	06-21-2006 10:44 PM

08-20-2008, 09:34 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,256	Time to fly - er I mean - build a coop... I have just purchased a large size older model dog run which I am going to make into a chicken coop in anticipation of a few next spring.. Because of the coyotes, neighbor's stupid dogs, and our own canines.. I can not let them run totally free... I will be putting chicken wire on the bottom to keep out the racoons and possums, as well as on the top to keep out critters and hawks.. This will be topped by black plastic shade material - and it will be placed by a tree that will give it both sun and shade.. Now I need to plan my coop... I would appreciate any and all ideas on what works - etc.. I am looking to have no more then 6 Road Island reds.. more as pets then anything.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

08-20-2008, 11:55 AM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,050	If you can put adjustable wheels on it, you can make it a moveable pen. You need nesting boxes built at least 6 inches off the ground and have a wooden bar fo they can rooster at least 1/2 way up the dog run. I do have the rooster(RIR) for you or 4 mixed breed chicks you can have. My rooster is knowledgable about hawks and knows how to sound the alarm if they are near. __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Last edited by Ferronsgranny : 08-20-2008 at 12:22 PM.

08-20-2008, 12:01 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,631	Chain link has some pretty big openings, I would definatly put some form of wire around it also b/c the coons can reach in and grab your chickens. It is very common down here when people place their birds on their porches or outside for some fresh air. I was in the feed store the other day and over heard a guy talking about losing 'another' bird to coons .... Most recent was a macaw. Chain link has bigger gaps than bird cages, so if they can get into a bird cage, they can get into chain link. Not to mention the coons will do anything to get into the pens for the eggs. I would definatly consider some wire aroud the outside of the chainlink. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

08-20-2008, 12:11 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,256	Great idea.. I am going to have to put chicken wire all over it then.. Mary, where am I going to keep them for a week while in Yuma.. I think we are going to use the big old shed next to the small pony paddock - I need to redo the roof, build nesting boxes (any quick tips on these) and a ramp - along with new doors - so that they can have safe access inside and out to their pen.. Do you keep a heat lamp in there for them during cold weather.. The last chickens and roosters we had, were free range in AZ.. it didn't get that cold there.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

08-20-2008, 12:23 PM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minnesnowdah Posts: 6,642	There's cold weather in TN?? I'd watch them to see how they're doing but I would allow for a heat lamp or perhaps safer would be if you could get some stray pieces of styrofoam and build a little box for them to cuddle in. Nothing too cramped and perhaps open at both ends inside the coop. You don't want the first one in getting smothered. Just some ideas. I've kept chickens through the winter with a heat lamp but I had a larger building and more chickens even though we get a tad chillier than you folks. __________________ gonna do what I can instead of complain and fret about what I can't Joanie

08-20-2008, 12:24 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,256	This is a big old shed.. it needs a new floor, roof, change of doors, and a ramp for them to enter.. I was worried that it might get too cold for them in the winter with out one.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

08-20-2008, 12:28 PM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,050	Val. I'll meet you somewhere on the way back so they can have a new home. I am incubating 30 eggs right now. I took them away from momma hen as the others kept laying more on her nest when she would get out to eat and poop. If they hatch before you leave Arizona I can give you a few more. I can give you a dozen or two eggs to take with you for at least a couple of meals while out in Arizona. I am getting 9 eggs a day form my 9 hens. Yep they are all laying everyday. __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

08-20-2008, 12:29 PM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,256	Holy cow.. That's a lot of chickies.. It won't be ready until the end of September.. you may just have to come up and visit to drop them off.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

08-21-2008, 12:46 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,818	I'm so excited My birds are getting a coop tomorrow or should I say today. In 12 hours. Yippee!!!! Our barn is being delivered then. My plans are to make the coop 8 foot by 8 foot with a 4 foot long nest box that is accessible from outside the coop. The box will have 4 nests. I haven't decided how high off the ground I want it. I know from experience that the hens tend to prefer nest high off the ground. Same with their roost. I know they feel safest when they can roost 6 feet up or higher. I'll have the waterer outdoors in the flight for now but come winter I'll place it in the coop. While preparing the old barn for the new addition we stirred a rat from his home so that reminded me that I need to keep them in mind when building my new coop. I have eight barn cats....why do I have rats? If you want eggs come winter remember that chickens are stimulated to lay in longer photo periods so a light is a must. I don't think a heat lamp is as important for the bird as it is in keeping their water from freezing. So if you choose to use one, hang it near the waterer. Sawdust, pine shavings or straw on the floor and in the nest is important for clean eggs and healthy birds. You want to make cleaning and feeding as easy as possible. Otherwise keeping chickens is a real chore. __________________