…… Building a chicken coop

[20Gauge]

One question:

HOW did you keep mice/rats under control?

That was a continuing problem with our chicken-house / pen from the time I was a child.

A raised floor (made out of pallets, especially) would be welcomed by them as our very kindly providing them a wonderful basement apartment....

Ours is raised 3ft off the ground and the tubes that hold it up are pvc.... no rat entry.....

 

[winodog]

 

[Jeff Allen]

Winodog....your approach to chicken coop building is something of which I FULLY APPROVE. WELL DONE!!! To date the only chicken coop I've seen and said,,,,wow....built better than mine....I'm absolutely impressed!

J

 

[winodog]

Finished the front yesterday. Hopefully the glass block will let some moonlight in in case they fall off their perch. Made the cuts for the rakes and about to go finish the shell. That means topping off party time. Frozen pizza and ginger ale!

 

[winodog]

I am rounding third and headed home. Needs perches, paint and a front door.

I built this out of 2x4s about 12 years ago. Needs some minor repair and I can use it for meat chickens or new layers.

 

[Kewpie]

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Holy Stromboli, you built a bunker!!

We have 5 acres and choose to move everyone around. The main structure is off the ground, and everyone is locked in that at night. Around that is a fairly large run enclosed in hardware cloth and chicken wire with a large door, and we attach loose netting to that side that gets strung up over a larger area. When we’re gone, they only have access to the secure area, when we’re home they get access to the larger, lightly netted run. The base gets jacked up and put on wheels every few months and shifted elsewhere. We’re hoping (fingers crossed) to clean out or demolish/rebuild an old goat shed that’s already securely fenced (maybe a half acre?) and make something permanent, but we’ll see! Long term goals!