This is just in case some of the animals dont get scared of the predator deterrent lights. When it comes to chicken coops, one of the most important things you can do to protect your flock is to make sure it is predator-proof. Beyond the usual chicken husbandry and health information, the book also includes great tips on how to put your flock to work to build soil fertility, plus information on how to draft and pass local laws to permit laying hens. It should be much bigger than that. And, dont worry, theyre programmable so you dont have to be concerned about closing your hens out. Wire mesh can also be used to cover any openings in the coop, such as windows and vents. These portable chicken coops are designed so that either end drops down for access to feeders and waterers, and to allow your chickens out while youre there to supervise (your presence should deter predators). The ends will be about 22 inches wide by 19 inches tall, cut into an oblong shape. I set out to create a coop design that would be low-cost, easy to build, light enough to move easily and scaled to fit well even in small backyards, Long wrote. Shipping and taxes calculated at checkout. My suggestion would be to use the light to signal YOU that somethings up and to go check it out. We had regular screens over the windows and they saved our hens lives because they were able to burst out through the screen to escape danger. Growers Supply also offers 4-by-8-foot sheets of 8-millimeter material, which is slightly less flexible. You can use whatever fasteners you have available just make sure you use them. Roosters can be a great way to protect your backyard chicken flock from predators. At GRIT, we have a tradition of respecting the land that sustains rural America. To anyone thinking of getting one of those cute little coops. Hey all, I'm rather new to chickens, I have 16 between the ages of 4 and 8 weeks. Definitely not going to end well!). Dig it down just a few inches and then cover it with soil, wood chips, mulch or other plantings. Just as the bridge for your chicken tunnel system, the underground passage is yet another ingenious integration of chicken tunneling. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Chicken tunnels for the garden can be simple or elaborate. Undaunted, Long next designed an ultra-sturdy coop, MOTHERs Mighty Chicken-Mobile, in 2011s Build an Affordable, Portable and Predator-Proof Chicken Coop. Canadian Subscribers International Subscribers, Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). The open floor has lots of advantages, the main one being that your flock can graze directly on grass and veggies or scratch around in the soil. A friend of mine raises chicken. Use pressure treated wood. Is 12 to 18 inches wide enough for a chicken tunnel? Assisted hatch. They get a thrill from free-ranging in the yard and garden. The area just in front of the bottom of your fence lines is wasted space. (Remember, some predators can squeeze into remarkably small openings.). Both coops use the durable corrugated plastic to provide shelter for the chickens. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist. I guess they would have to be changed out pretty often. For the most protection (vs things short of a bear) hardware cloth on any opening larger than 1/2". To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, you'll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. Instead of walking over and around your chickens tunnels around the yard, why not build up and construct an elevated pass over or bridge? However, sometimes it is not feasible for the chicken to be allowed to roam freely where they want to go. By paying now with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of GRIT for only $21.95 (USA only). The shape of this coop saves a bit of money on the cost of the welded wire mesh because it uses a little less than the rectangular coop. Homemade biodiesel helps you speed past the gas station toward fuel independence. Thats half the fun of raising chickens) make sure you clean up any scraps they leave behind. Smooth out the temperature range in your greenhouse by adopting one of these strategies for heating greenhouses. https://bit.ly/2NKhV0EJoin our channel to get access to perks ~ ht. By using Coke bottle greenhouses, I avoid this issue. The company offers covers alone ($12 each), nest boxes with pail and cover ($20) and other items through various retailers listed on its website. The rectangular coop kit is less expensive because it doesn't use pre-bent hoops, and because the white pipe is less costly. To create the roof of the movable coop, lay two sheets of plywood side-by-side to create an 8-foot square. It is always a good idea to have a safe run enclosure for the chickens attached to their chicken coop even if they dont use it very often. A drop-down door on the coop end can be opened to let the chickens out, and offers nest box access. So youll need a complicated lock, a padlock with a key, or a combination lock for your chicken coop. MOTHER EARTH NEWS recommends three excellent new books about raising chickens, whether youre experienced or a complete novice. Use Two Step Locks. "Nothing should be able to get into a properly constructed coop," she said. The book details all of Bastiens adventures, from building a beehive and becoming a beekeeper to creating her own laundry and dish soap. Keep your hens safe with these 24 features youll find on a predator-proof chicken coop. This has to be the coolest component of chunnels that we have seen! Raising the chicken coop off the ground will help the wood to last longer. If you simply can not remember to close up your chickens at night or youre not home in the evenings, the best way to protect your flock is to take advantage of a nifty piece of modern technology: automatic chicken doors. When an animal tries to dig underneath your coop, theyre not going to dig at the outskirts of the apron. His discussion of worm composting bins beneath the aisles in his hoophouses (which serve as winter chicken houses) is also fascinating. Im here to teach you how to get back to your roots. Hey, look! Chickens naturally roost in trees for protection. Their exteriors are clad in welded wire mesh, and youll need easy-to-use J-clip pliers to join the welded wire sections. Well, the simplest way is using one of the four shapes to form the framework. A reel of poly wire and a portable solar charger are an inexpensive option that can save you and your flock from devastation in the long run. Although a bit more expensive, it will last longer and be more resistant to rot and deterioration in the elements. It is very interesting. The design is simple and utilizes materials that are long lasting, recyclable, and biodegradable. First and foremost, your chickens will be happy little birds. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. It can take only one predator to completely wipe out your entire flock in a night. It can be made from wood and shingles, corrugated metal, or even plastic sheeting used in greenhouses. I helped care for about 80 chickens in TN, but now live in CO. for your chicken tunnel. . Do I need to build a shed with windows so I can have a heat lamp? Birds kept in a portable chicken coop on pasture provide delicious, inexpensive eggs, and eggs from birds that get plenty of grass, bugs and seeds to eat are better for you than store-bought eggs (read the results of our egg nutrition testing in The Good Egg). The chicken moat provides a clean edge around the garden, keeping down the migration of unwanted grasses, weeds and insects into our plot. With the current shortage of serfs, the practice has fallen out of favor. Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance. Next, screw and glue eight of the 4-inch 1-by-3 boards about every 3 feet along the inside perimeter of what will be the bottom side of the roof. It seems that everything wants to eat chickens: neighborhood dogs, raccoons, foxes, weasels, and even chicken hawks. Unless you plan to use this system with meat chickens or, as in our case, your chickens are still young, you could expand upward. Order from the GRIT Store or by calling 800-234-3368. A solid floor will protect your flock from many predators including snakes. The easiest way to do it is to let it run along the fence, starting from the coop. Why You Should Not Use Chicken Wire and What to Use Instead. Lauren Arcuri Ware is an expert in homesteading, including raising chickens for eggs and meat, keeping bees, growing fruits and vegetables, and preserving. Heres how to keep your hens safe. This portable unit costs about $370 and weighs less than 50 pounds with all of the mesh and fittings included. Dogs are really useful on a farm. Circo offers a discount of 30 percent on orders of four kits or more. that we have seen! My favorite way to lock raccoons out of the chicken coop is with a weatherproof, titanium lock (Amazon) and a hasp (Amazon). Instead of walking over and around your chickens tunnels around the yard, why not build up and construct an elevated pass over or bridge? Chicken tunnels for the garden or outdoor area have become a trend among chickeneers, especially in urban settings. Next, attach the two uncut 1-by-3s over the wire mesh to sandwich and secure it. Our expert outlines processing used cooking oil in a small DIY plant. Adding a roof the run has many benefits. Got any pics? Bastiens flock made short work of the tall grass around this fruit tree. And it is pretty insane how they can squeeze through those small holes! 3 Methods for Heating Greenhouses for Free. Are you looking for a super fun way to let your chickens free range but in a more controlled manner? Part of creating a predator-proof chicken coop is to make sure youre not managing your flock in such a way that you are attracting predators to find their next meal in your backyard. Avoid chicken wire. All in all, its a clever solution to the fowl raisers dilemma of whether to fence the birds or the garden: Fence both! These screws should pass through both boards and a hole in the mesh (see illustration). One way to put it all together is to rest the two large plywood pieces on the ground with the tree in the middle. to incorporate chunnels in a backyard, around a garden, up and over existing chunnels, and even underground passes. Over the years, MOTHER EARTH NEWS has offered several DIY chicken coop plans, particularly designs for portable chicken coops. Chickens have a natural instinct to sleep off the ground and by giving them a roost inside they will feel secure and want to go into the coop at night. What is the material covering the ground in your outside run? I know I told you above to make sure your chickens had cover to run to in the event an aerial predator like a hawk or owl is scanning the ground for lunch. I may also earn a commission when you buy through other links on my site. It also creates a ledge to help secure the frame to the ground. This can be used in addition to basic precautions such as a coop floor and hardware cloth. I think Advan Tech OSB Subfloor is a really great choice considering your chickens will be putting a lot of moisture on the floor from the top. You can also order directly through the website. Create your own DIY chicken coop using a truck frame and some basic carpentry skills. This will allow the lids to rest flush with the plywood. Determine chicken predators that live in your area. Continue attaching the mesh along the perimeter in this fashion to create the tunnel shape. Minks, mice, rats and snakes can squeeze through chicken wire and fisher cats are strong enough to pull the wire apart and gain access. Hardware cloth is welded wire. Various materials are used in constructing a chunnel which range from wire to netting. We chose pre-bent plastic hoops, which made assembly even faster. Take these steps to plan what to do with chickens during a tornado or hurricane. Dont risk losing your backyard chickens to predators! In her spare time, she is a hand-spinner, knitter, weaver, homebrewer, cheese maker and avid cook who cures her own bacon. Installing 1-by-3 boards around the perimeter of the fertilization station roof will create slots for holding the wire-mesh walls in place and also allow you to lock the roof down to prevent predators from lifting it. Scribe the other two circles approximately 24 inches from and at 90 degrees to the center of the long edge of each 8-foot semicircle piece. Electric fencing around the coop and run helps keep many land predators out too. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When chickens feel safe, they will be more productive with their egg laying. We are using a chicken tunnel from the chicken run to the garden. This will deter predators from digging underneath the coop and getting to the chickens. Because we sometimes house our chickens in the chunnel overnight, we decided to cut some old wire shelving we had on hand and stick it in the ground along the edges of the chicken tunnel to prevent predators from digging underneath. The pieces of the coop frames glue together easily, strongly and permanently. At MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years and counting, we are dedicated to conserving our planet's natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. Photo by Kimberlee Bastien. Try taking your dog to pee near the chicken coop. Having only one method of keeping predators away from your chicken coop is not ideal. Leave at least 3/4 inch of mesh overhanging at each end of the boards. A predator apron is simply fencing material that is installed above the ground and runs along the perimeter of the chicken coop and enclosed run. With the shorter 1-by-3 boards facing in, drape the wire mesh over the ends. Total price should be about $300. You should move it on a regular basis to provide your chickens with regular forage and to avoid over-fertilization of a single spot. The 2023 How to Speak Chicken Calendar is Here. In days gone by, rulers of kingdoms would protect themselves by ordering a few thousand serfs to build a moat around the family castle. However, some dogs will go after chickens themselves, so you need to train them not to chase and "play" with them. Adding a roof the run has many benefits. Want to be king or queen of all (the garden) you survey? Add 1 3/4-inch lips along the straight edges of one of the plywood semicircles by attaching two 35-inch 1-by-4 boards. One of the biggest mistakes you can make while keeping a flock of backyard chickens is to not provide them adequate predator protection. The chickens will return to their coop naturally at dusk just be sure to close and latch the chicken door at nightfall if theyve been ranging in the yard. When chickens are overcrowded it makes them susceptible to bad behavior such as feather picking and diseases and illness. With the help of another person, roll out the wire mesh over the boards, stapling it even with the outside edge of the boards as you go. These dogs naturally seem to be paranoid and spend time patrolling the property, barking at anything that comes on their radar, and peeing all over the place to let others know theyre there. They say, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and I think this is definitely one area where you dont want to skimp! Its amazing the way they can manage to get into the coop when they really are determined to do so! Created after Maxwell and Long conferred with poultry experts, the coop is a gorgeous piece of work (read more about it in MOTHERs Mini-Coop) meant to last for years. Cheap Chicken Coop Ideas With a Used Truck Frame. After youve assembled the run, create a small door in the wire mesh so you can gather your chickens into a movable chunnel before disassembling and then reassembling the unit around the next tree. By positioning your tunnel in the right place, your garden will have fewer pests because chickens love insects! It's a great idea for your coop to have windows because in the winter the chickens will spend most of their time in there, the light and view of the outdoors will help a lot. Author/Blogger/Freelancer-Sharing adventures with backyard chickens, beekeeping, gardening, crafting, cooking and more. Install a predator apron around your chicken coop to deter burrowing and digging predators. And weve quit losing hens to hawks since the moat was constructedthose raptors avoid the potential entrapment of two fences so close together. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Hardware cloth (the finer mesh the better) is more expensive but much more of a deterrent. Other Ways to Protect the Coop From Predators. Not only will they take out your whole flock, but they can wreak havoc on your coop itself. Chickens, Bees, Gardens, Art and Yummy Goodness. The main part of the chicken coop and the attached predator proof run are open 24/7. Keep in mind that with this design, there isnt a space for your chickens to roost. Add outside roosts and perches. My moat is simply a strip of dry land, enclosed by two parallel fences, which surrounds my familys garden. It can be made from wood and shingles, corrugated metal, or even plastic sheeting used in greenhouses. But those same trees, bushes, and grasses that serve as a cover for free-range chickenscan also hide ground predators. Lay them parallel to one another 4 feet apart. Depending on the size of your predators (bears! Finally, another way to help protect your chickens is to keep the coop clean and free of food scraps. Bury the chicken wire or hardware cloth 12 inches deep all along the run to add an additional barrier against burrowing predators. The third layer of protection could be to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. It will also sit on a 4-by-10-foot raised garden bed. A removable panel of 2-by-4-inch welded wire mesh covers the bottom, which gives the chickens room to scratch but is easy to take off if you wish to set the coop on a garden bed and let the chickens till in their manure. Your best defense against predators is having a fox and badger proof chicken coop. Just in case a predator like birds of prey come sailing overhead. Deer can easily clear a single tall fence, but they cant find enough room in the six-foot-wide moat to gather themselves for a second leap. This super-lightweight, low-cost option works fine if you can place it inside a fenced yard or garden. See, you can develop creative ways to enhance your chickens environment while having fun doing it. At this point, you really dont have a choice but to find a way to contain your wayward flock. Having areas to explore provides stimulation, and yes, chickens can become bored with the same old run. An electric training collar can be an invaluable tool if your dog is bred to go after chickens (like a retriever). Boy, have we got some ideas for you! Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop? Build it with a slope or pitch so snow slides off easily. I suspect they may work at first, but once nothing happens, predators will realize theyre harmless. Urine and feces smell will keep predators at bay at night as well. Create a digging barrier. How to keep sparrows/wild birds out of run!? To have a predator-proof chicken tunnel, youll need wiring that is designed to protect your chickens. Bastiens flock made short work of the tall grass around this fruit tree. This is great except when youre planting fruit trees that cant compete with the grass. The area just in front of the bottom of your fence lines is wasted space. The double line of defense discourages most possums, ground hogs and rabbits from trying to harvest free vegetables. If you open windows to provide ventilation for your coop, make sure you protect them with scraps of leftover hardware cloth or wire mesh. Make sure you check your state and local regulations to learn the best way to manage the predators you capture. In just one day, they cleared our garden path to bare dirt. Be extra careful when you cut the two full 18-inch circles because youll use those pieces as lids. But there are hidden challenges with free ranging. About Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Cookie Policy / GDPR. Some raccoons will just rip open chicken wire and enter at will. Garden pests are stopped by the chicken buffer on their way to destroy your fresh veggies. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing to GRIT through our automatic renewal savings plan. Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants. Our expert outlines processing used cooking oil in a small DIY plant. Looking for some movable chicken coop ideas? LaySomeEggs.com may contain links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Robin Matheris a senior associate editor at MOTHER EARTH NEWSand the author of The Feast Nearby, a collection of essays and recipes from her year of eating locally on $40 a week.