Jump Links:
- Inside the Coop
- Coop Windows
- Separate Runs
- Nesting Boxes
We wanted the chickens to have space as we cant let ours free range around the property. We have too many predators like bald eagles, owls, hawks, golden eagles, coyotes and so on that will kill our flocks.
The runs have 1" chicken wire on top & on the upper half of the run sides. To make sure the runs were extra secure we added galvanized heavy gauge hog paneling to the lower half of the runs.
The doors one the end of the runs are 4' wide 6' tall, with latch pins to make sure they stay locked.
With all heat, and sun we get during the summer we had to cover the runs with shade cloth to keep the chickens cool and give them some shade. The shade cloth also helps with keeping the runs clear of snow. When the snow fall gets deep we take a roof rack and scrap the snow off the top of the runs so keep the snow load off.
Wild Birds were also causing a problem so we added bird netting underneath the shade cloth so the starlings and the wild birds couldn't get in anymore and eat all the chicken feed and bring diseases and lice into the coop.
We lined the runs with 3/4 minus gravel, and we add shavings to the runs during winter and spring when its wet. We've noticed adding shavings keeps the birds clean and dry.
We have water containers set up in each run so the chickens have access to water at all times while outside in the runs & in the coop.
Walkway around the coop we set pavers. The pavers are set under the front porch and wrap around each side and the end of the runs. However we have noticed that the mice dig holes under the ground which have caused some of the pavers to collapse in. We have decided to change the pavers out top concrete sidewalk instead.
The runs have 1" chicken wire on top & on the upper half of the run sides. To make sure the runs were extra secure we added galvanized heavy gauge hog paneling to the lower half of the runs.
The doors one the end of the runs are 4' wide 6' tall, with latch pins to make sure they stay locked.
With all heat, and sun we get during the summer we had to cover the runs with shade cloth to keep the chickens cool and give them some shade. The shade cloth also helps with keeping the runs clear of snow. When the snow fall gets deep we take a roof rack and scrap the snow off the top of the runs so keep the snow load off.
Wild Birds were also causing a problem so we added bird netting underneath the shade cloth so the starlings and the wild birds couldn't get in anymore and eat all the chicken feed and bring diseases and lice into the coop.
We lined the runs with 3/4 minus gravel, and we add shavings to the runs during winter and spring when its wet. We've noticed adding shavings keeps the birds clean and dry.
We have water containers set up in each run so the chickens have access to water at all times while outside in the runs & in the coop.
Walkway around the coop we set pavers. The pavers are set under the front porch and wrap around each side and the end of the runs. However we have noticed that the mice dig holes under the ground which have caused some of the pavers to collapse in. We have decided to change the pavers out top concrete sidewalk instead.
Separate Runs
The shade cloth works well for keeping snow out of the runs so the chickens can still get out of the Coop.
4' wide doors 6' high
make easy access to the runs for cleaning or repairs.
The runs are 24' in length to give plenty of space for the chickens to spend tine outside in the fresh air.