Three years ago my first coop was a total disaster but last month I rebuilt it

Back in 2021 I built a coop out of scrap wood and it fell apart in a storm after six months, lost two hens to a raccoon. Last month I finally rebuilt it with proper hardware cloth and treated lumber, cost me about $200. Anyone else have a first coop that just didn't work out?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathan_patel7d ago

Yo did you use hardware cloth or just chicken wire the first time? That raccoon story hurts my soul, I lost three chicks to a snake my first year. The treated lumber makes a huge difference too, I cheaped out on pallet wood and it warped in like 3 months. Sounds like you learned the hard way like most of us.

taylor.jessica6d ago

Started with hardware cloth after watching my uncle lose his whole flock to a raccoon that just pulled chicken wire apart like it was tinfoil. That snake thing though, three chicks is rough. Did you try putting hardware cloth on the floor too? I hear people say just bury it a foot deep but honestly that's overkill if you use the right gauge. The treated lumber thing is real too, pallet wood just rots or twists eventually. I learned that one the hard way when my first coop roof caved in during a storm.