A little upgrade to the chicken coop

[Pappy]

I am adding a more secure chicken run to the coop. I am making it 12' long and a little less than 8 ' wide. This allows me to still stand up and walk into the run to change water, feed and throw a chair in and watch the chickens or just take a nap while they are scratching around. I want to get them use to me. They are pretty much not to scared of me when I go into the coop now if they are in there. I can always add more cattle panels to it and make it even longer if I wanted or I may just put some electric fencing up with bird netting on top to give them more area to scavenge for food. Anyway here are some pics.

I used cattle panels to make a hoop coop so to speak. I have a long way to go. I will be adding 1/2 inch hardware cloth to the outside and put in a door. I am also going to add some hardware cloth around the outside of the 2x6 on the ground to keep critters from digging under it and into the run. I have greenhouse fabric going over that and then adding some pea gravel. It has taken me weeks to this so far with the rain and my arthritic pain. I can only do so much a day.

[Pappy]

I am also upgrading the inside of their coop. I wanted to be able to clean it out easier and also plug up the gaps in the floor boards to keep the air from blowing up in and vermin out. There will enough ventilation on the sides and the roof area. I just used some sheet insulation I had and then put down tile.

[Pappy]

I then just threw in some bedding. Just pine shavings and let me tell you they loved this stuff. They were laying in it, making little beds in it it was funny watching them.

[Pappy]

They also like all the straw that was in their coop where I threw it out the door. They scratched it all around and the big piles they made lttile beds in it also.

[Petee]

Pile up all that bedding and put a low fence around it so when it composts down you can use it in your garden.  If the hens can get up into it, they will turn it for you also.

[Pappy]

On 5/29/2025 at 2:35 PM, Petee said:

Pile up all that bedding and put a low fence around it so when it composts down you can use it in your garden.  If the hens can get up into it, they will turn it for you also.

I already do this Petee. The chickens are just composting it a bit more before I move it over to the bin.

[Pappy]

I added two more nesting boxes. My one chicken hasn't layed an egg in almost a week. I think she is afraid of where she used to lay them and the other ones stepping all over it. She never used the nesting boxes that were built in. I am hoping she uses these.

[blueangel]

I have 4 nesting boxes like those. I've had chickens for 10 years and never had an egg laid in them. I have 2 plastic dog boxes, the kind that the top comes off of. Silly chickens will only lay eggs in them.

[Petee]

Your egg box should be a foot or more up off of the ground.  You also need a perch in front of it so she can fly up onto it in order to enter the box.  It's been kind of cold for the hens to lay, and no sunshine.  Does she have calcium, fly larvae and lots of fresh water?  

[Pappy]

On 6/1/2025 at 9:47 PM, Petee said:

Your egg box should be a foot or more up off of the ground.  You also need a perch in front of it so she can fly up onto it in order to enter the box.  It's been kind of cold for the hens to lay, and no sunshine.  Does she have calcium, fly larvae and lots of fresh water?  

The egg boxes are a over a foot above the floor. I added some blocks in front of it so they can get in them easier. They have no problems laying eggs in there. I have ten chickens and they lay anywhere from 7 to a full 10 a day. Now that it has been colder they are down to 5 to 7. 

I give them fresh water everyday and wipe out the bottom tray. They have plenty of calcium. I have yet to give them fly larvae but was going to send away for a 10lb bag of it. 

[Pappy]

I have upgraded a little bit more to the new chicken run. I have been slacking at this over the summer.

I didn't get any pics before I put the tarp on. 

Anyway I built the door and then added hardware cloth.

Then I bought a 20 mil tarp a very thick UV and water resistant one. It was around $65.  I put some straps 2 inch nylon straps over the top and secured them to the boards using fender washers and a screw. 

[Pappy]

The chickens are now in their new run. I have an opening in the coop for them to get in and out which I still need to frame in for the automatic door for them.

They are no longer in the muddy area where they were and their grit and D.E bath bowl are able to stay dry now as well as their one bowl of layer pellets I give them on top the mash I have for them to give them a choice. 

I also need to attach the new gate latch and lock to the door which came with the Anti Sag Gate Frame Hardware Kit I bought off of Amazon. 

[Pappy]

For those wondering those are Wynadotte Chickens. The white ones are Silver Laced and their are also Golden Laced and Blue Laced. I have three of each type plus an odd ball girl we call Wendy. 

Wendy is old and is looking a bit on the rough side lately. I am hoping this new run will give her a new lease on life and perk her up. 

I also plan on getting an electric fence to let them fee range outside of this run maybe a 30' to 50' area long by 12' wide

I am going to clean out their coop again here soon and add some hemp bedding to it. 

[Petee]

Looks better that 99 out of 100 coops.  I think you could camp out in that thing!

[Pappy]

25 minutes ago, Petee said:

Looks better that 99 out of 100 coops.  I think you could camp out in that thing!

I wanted something where they would be comfortable and yet functional for me to get in and out to give them their water and food. 

I am going to get some chain and hooks and hang their food from the top and maybe the water too.

I am also going to order this new nesting boxes I saw that are metal and red. The eggs roll down to the front to keep them clean. I have been having issues where the eggs have been pretty dirty. The boxes are clean though so not sure why they are so dirty but I hope the new one help. They are a bit pricey though. 

I did have my chair in there and it was comfy sitting in there. I almost fell asleep in there while working on it haha.

I may put my chair in there with them and see how they interact while I am in there. Today is their first day in there and they seem to love it. I know their feet are a lot cleaner and they don't have to find places to stay dry. I will see how they do tonight and see if they go back in the coop and roost.

I may put some logs across the inside of the hoop house to give them a perch out there in the summer. No predators can get in except for a bear. I have harware cloth all around the outside of it keep them from digging  in. 

[Petee]

5 hours ago, Pappy said:

I wanted something where they would be comfortable and yet functional for me to get in and out to give them their water and food. 

I am going to get some chain and hooks and hang their food from the top and maybe the water too.

I am also going to order this new nesting boxes I saw that are metal and red. The eggs roll down to the front to keep them clean. I have been having issues where the eggs have been pretty dirty. The boxes are clean though so not sure why they are so dirty but I hope the new one help. They are a bit pricey though. 

I did have my chair in there and it was comfy sitting in there. I almost fell asleep in there while working on it haha.

I may put my chair in there with them and see how they interact while I am in there. Today is their first day in there and they seem to love it. I know their feet are a lot cleaner and they don't have to find places to stay dry. I will see how they do tonight and see if they go back in the coop and roost.

I may put some logs across the inside of the hoop house to give them a perch out there in the summer. No predators can get in except for a bear. I have hardware cloth all around the outside of it keep them from digging  in. 

Make them a swing to play on and some roosts in a higher corner.  They love them. Once they get comfy with you, feed them by hand occasionally and they will probably jump up on your lap for a petting session.  Once the hens are fully adult they will probably squat when you pet them!  Beware.  That's not poop, it's an invitation for a date! 

[Petee]

Just now, Petee said:

Make them a swing to play on and some roosts in a higher corner.  They love them. Once they get comfy with you, feed them by hand occasionally and they will probably jump up on your lap for a petting session.  Once the hens are fully adult they will probably squat when you pet them!  Beware.  That's not poop, it's an invitation for a date! 

Do you have a heated waterer for the winter?  Get two if you can afford it so when one gets too dirty, you can put out the second till you get the dirty one inside, thawed and cleaned.  We rotate feeder like that too.  Hanging your feeders from an overhead hook allows you to lower and raise them, and will keep nighttime varmints from reaching it.

Chickens are so much fun to watch and deal with.  When our were getting out earlier this summer, all hubby had to do was go out there and they would all follow him right into the chicken run!

[Pappy]

9 hours ago, Petee said:

Do you have a heated waterer for the winter?  Get two if you can afford it so when one gets too dirty, you can put out the second till you get the dirty one inside, thawed and cleaned.  We rotate feeder like that too.  Hanging your feeders from an overhead hook allows you to lower and raise them, and will keep nighttime varmints from reaching it.

Chickens are so much fun to watch and deal with.  When our were getting out earlier this summer, all hubby had to do was go out there and they would all follow him right into the chicken run!

I had fed them by hand through the fence. They love Watermelon and Cantaloupe. I have been looking for some type of heated system for my water. I do clean out the tray everyday now and add water to it so for now no problem but it would be nice in case I get sick to have it heated. I was in there tonight and they had no problem with me being in there. They were expecting a treat which unfortunately I did not have any watermelon chunks for them. 

[Polo]

Wow!  You really have a nice set up!  Impressive.  Those are some fortunate chickens!  They are nice looking birds, too!

[Polo]

5 hours ago, Pappy said:

I had fed them by hand through the fence. They love Watermelon and Cantaloupe. I have been looking for some type of heated system for my water. I do clean out the tray everyday now and add water to it so for now no problem but it would be nice in case I get sick to have it heated. I was in there tonight and they had no problem with me being in there. They were expecting a treat which unfortunately I did not have any watermelon chunks for them. 

You can get large heated water bowls from the farm supply store.  The electric cords  are covered with a metal like sleeve so they are sturdy to withstand the cold.  A family member uses them in the winter to keep water available for outdoor stray cats that they feed.

[Pappy]

20 minutes ago, Polo said:

You can get large heated water bowls from the farm supply store.  The electric cords  are covered with a metal like sleeve so they are sturdy to withstand the cold.  A family member uses them in the winter to keep water available for outdoor stray cats that they feed.

I have no electric out there. I was going to build a little solar battery setup to give me a little 120 volt power out there for water heater and lights. The lights though I can use solar ones that I have around my house without building a system with a inverter, battery etc.

[Petee]

Here are some good ideas, but what about running an electric cord just for the coldest season?

 

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Non-electric+chicken+waterer+for+the+winter&form=ANSPH1&refig=691240757e6c4f7a935a950a1604e507&pc=U531

[Petee]

Just go in and sit in a folding chair with arms.  They will do the rest.  

[Pappy]

19 hours ago, Petee said:

Here are some good ideas, but what about running an electric cord just for the coldest season?

 

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Non-electric+chicken+waterer+for+the+winter&form=ANSPH1&refig=691240757e6c4f7a935a950a1604e507&pc=U531

haha I have a bunch of Amazon links to those heaters already I have just been researching to see my options. As far as the electric I could do that but I want to try and built a little solar battery system. It would not take much the only problem I have is motivation. When I do I will post on here what I build and how it works

[Petee]

Hurry, it's already cold so save yourself the worst of winter and get some kind of a secure self-watering system set up.  Hubby has lugged water out, sometimes twice a day, in blizzards, below freezing temperatures and ice!  It isn't pretty.