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We do not have coops, at least in the normal meaning of the term.
We live in a rural area with plenty of woods around. And plenty of woodland creatures.
Until we went to our present system five years ago we lost a hen here, a hen there, to predation. Since then we have not lost a one.
Our chicken area is approx 50 X 75 feet and enclosed by 6 foot chain link. Inside that we have DIY dog kennels (Home Depot, Lowes), also 6 foot chain link, one for each small flock. At one time we had over 50 hens, now we are down to a total of 14 birds, including roosters.
These kennels have flat shadecloth tops for additional security, and peaked tarp roofs for weather protection.
Inside the kennels are my homemade hootches which are about 2 feet deep, three feet wide and are three feet high at the front sloping down to the back. These are set on a base of regular concrete blocks. I use 3/8" CDX plywood for walls and roof, 2X2's for framing, and there is 1/2" mesh welded hardware cloth for the floor and on the door.
Each day we let one flock out into the general area to roam about, rotating the flocks daily to avoid the roosters fighting.
My wife lets them out of the hootches in the morning when she feeds and waters, and lets one group out to roam.
At dusk each day they get closed up for the night in their hootches. I usually do this while she does horse chores. This puts them securely behind wood/wire and behind two layers of chainlink.
I was born and raised a city boy, but I really enjoy the past 16 years of country life!
We live in a rural area with plenty of woods around. And plenty of woodland creatures.
Our chicken area is approx 50 X 75 feet and enclosed by 6 foot chain link. Inside that we have DIY dog kennels (Home Depot, Lowes), also 6 foot chain link, one for each small flock. At one time we had over 50 hens, now we are down to a total of 14 birds, including roosters.
These kennels have flat shadecloth tops for additional security, and peaked tarp roofs for weather protection.
Inside the kennels are my homemade hootches which are about 2 feet deep, three feet wide and are three feet high at the front sloping down to the back. These are set on a base of regular concrete blocks. I use 3/8" CDX plywood for walls and roof, 2X2's for framing, and there is 1/2" mesh welded hardware cloth for the floor and on the door.
Each day we let one flock out into the general area to roam about, rotating the flocks daily to avoid the roosters fighting.
My wife lets them out of the hootches in the morning when she feeds and waters, and lets one group out to roam.
At dusk each day they get closed up for the night in their hootches. I usually do this while she does horse chores. This puts them securely behind wood/wire and behind two layers of chainlink.
I was born and raised a city boy, but I really enjoy the past 16 years of country life!