Caumont Coop & Run

Nice job! I know the feeling, setting out is a bit of a ongoing project. However much info gathered it doesn't quite make sense until the hens are putting it to the test.
 
Got the extension finished today.

Managed to get some 1.02mm weldmesh with 13mm holes. Not cheap but much better than the 0.7mm wire more commonly available.







Next job is the additional blockwork and concrete, when the ground drys out a bit :( bit of a 'catch 22' really, when it's wet and boggy the ground is easier to dig, the downside is everywhere you walk turns into mud.
 
Finally, despite the rain, rain, and more rain, I've got the base down for the extension.

Don't look too hard at the slightly out of line blocks, I'm no bricklayer.



Ready to get the rest done, so if there is anyone 'up there' I'd like a couple of days of sunshine - please.
 
I'm removing one whole double panel between the two Rick.

My thinking is it will give a degree of separation without restriction.
 
I hope the little darlings appreciate all the trouble that their hudad has gone to, your reward, if they are anything like my Pekins will be relentless endless lovely little rich eggs - lovely for picnics and cakes particularly!
 
I think I would make a couple of hatches - less work and leaves the structure in for strength. Also makes a circular route for the lowest ranks to run away through (or to feed on either side of if that’s ever an issue) and might be useful if you need to segregate one or two for some reason. Just my take on it - or you could take the screen out but keep it so it can go back in if you need it sometime.
 
rick said:
I think I would make a couple of hatches - less work and leaves the structure in for strength. Also makes a circular route for the lowest ranks to run away through (or to feed on either side of if that’s ever an issue) and might be useful if you need to segregate one or two for some reason. Just my take on it - or you could take the screen out but keep it so it can go back in if you need it sometime.
Click to expand...

Any of those suggestions are possible Rick, thanks. The bit I planned to remove could easily be used to block the opening when and if I ever needed to.

I just need a dry-ish day when they can go off roaming while I get on with it.

Pekin's are pretty low-slung when it comes to wet grass.




................ and the forecast is - showers, followed by rain, followed by showers :-)06
 
Got the base timber bolted down and chamfered the edges.

You can see how muddy the grass is from walking on it :(

 
Whoopee, the sun is finally here so on we go.

Got it pretty-well finished apart from the roofing sheets. I have stapled a temporary cover over the extension until I get the polycarbonate panels. Thinking about it I may well leave the cover on as it will give some shade in the summer months.

Following Ricks advice I have removed two alternate panels between the run and the extension, giving an in-out option. They are operating a one-way system at the moment which is quite funny.

I'm 6'1", pretty old and have an artificial knee so, as you can imagine, getting inside this lot was, shall we say, interesting :)

You can just see the girls foraging in the top right=hand corner.




 
Nice job, you'll be glad you did it in the years to come.
 
Just about the end of this project with the roof now on.

I may remove the swing as it's only been tried once and they fell off in full panic-mode. I think I'll replace it with a fixed perch.

Working again between the showers of course - roll on summer.

Be good when the ground drys out sufficient for the grass to recover ;)



I hope it's been of interest to those on here planning something similar.

Gary.
 
I think it will be a thread which is helpful to a lot of people, a lot of new keepers start by buying off the peg combined coops/runs only to find they aren't fit for purpose and this is nice set of posts on how to extend what you have. Quite a few times when building walk in runs I have thought of doing something similar but have been too too rushed/lazy/disorganised to take the photos so hats off to you for taking the time.
 
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