I quoted myself. DOH!

I think I'm going to build a chicken coop and pick up a couple egg layers this year. I was about to do it last year and didn't. I kinda regret that decision now.

I bet I make one of the ugliest coops ever

MB, it don’t gotta be purdy, just functional.

M/B, I don't know about your area, but around here you need the coop to be "critter proof'. With all the coyotes, foxes, racoons, stray dogs, and hawks the birds have it pretty tough to survive otherwise..

The eagles , coyotes, hawks and bears wreaked havoc in my chickens lives. Ended up building what looked like the poultry auschwitz for them. Fully caged and electrified

I'm going to have to keep an overhead cover/fencing over the pen area. We have way too many Bald and Golden eagles to not. Racoons will throw a hurting on a coop if they can get in..

Plus I'll have to fence the dogs out until they can get used to the chickens.

Good afternoon, Yard.

Good afternoon Ray and the rest of the Yard.

M/B, if you're only planning on a few chickens I think I would use "hardware cloth" a.k.a. welded wire for the coop. Stronger than chicken wire , it would make a pretty secure small coop, or movable "chicken tractor".

I doubt we will ever have more than 6 chickens. I have heard about using hardware cloth for the vents as it is mostly raccoon proof. I'm debating an A frame type coop. The nesting boxes will be a concern as well as cleanout. I'm thinking one wall on hinges for cleanout.

Depending on the size of the coop, a hinged cutout with perhaps barrel bolt latches would be secure as well as handy for egg collection and cleanout.

Good morning Yard. Looks like another nice day today with temps in the 60's.