Chicken Run Build | RECYCLED WOOD & PREDATOR-PROOF!

Рет қаралды 244,492

4 жыл бұрын

Building a predator-proof run doesn't have to require burying wire fencing! The only digging we did was for placing the posts to support the welded wire. Digging a bunch of postholes by hand wasn't great, but seeing the chickens loving their new area at the end was well worth it (so make sure to stick around for the chicken cuteness). We also built the chicken automatic water/feeder which has made our lives a LOT easier. Biggest lesson learned from this project is that welded wire fence is crazy expensive!
We have SUPER detailed plans for the J-Tube chicken feeders: www.masondixonacres.com/shop/...
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Here's what we had to buy for this project:
Three 2x4x16s: $30
Two 2x4x10s: $13
Gutter: $35
4x100 Wire fence: $80
4x50 Wire fence: $60
3x50 Wire fence: $45
Door hinges/hardware: $20
Zip ties: $12
Rain barrel: $20
Rain barrel hose fitting: $18
5 gal bucket & lid: $6
Poultry nipples: $8
4" pipe/fittings for food: $45
Tab tape to fasten food pipes: $4
TOTAL: $396
Including the initial cost of the birds & chick brooder setup ($245), the coop build ($290), and the run ($396), our entire chicken setup totals out to $931. While this seems like a lot, we feel like we have one of the higher quality setups around, and chances are, we will be housing fluffy butts in this one (or at least reusing the materials) for life. Thanks for watching, please leave comments and questions below!
Check out our Pallet Chicken Coop Build video here: • Pallet Chicken Coop Bu...
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ABOUT US: We are Alex and Elaina, a couple in our 20s who are currently living on the 3-acre farm in southern Pennsylvania where Alex grew up. We have a garden, backyard chickens, and build or fix anything that we need to. We still work corporate day jobs, but are working to eventually leave the 9-5 lifestyle in favor of a self-built, debt-free, homestead on 6 acres nearby.
We upload a KZfaq video every Saturday night at 7️⃣pm EST, and post daily on Instagram.
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Instagram: / masondixonacres
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DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting our channel ☺️

Пікірлер: 276

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Treat your girls to the best quality sustainable chicken treats out there! amzn.to/3XNhdyv (affiliate link - thank you!)

@moonrayn 2 жыл бұрын

They are as content as can be. There is no greater sign of love, trust, happiness, and comfort!

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

That's called sunbathing! They'll only do it when there's warmth from the Sun or under an infrared heat lamp. At least that's the only times I see mine doing it. They are basking in the warmth!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

haha yep that's what we figured! They're such funny little creatures. -Alex

@hannahpieplow8557 Жыл бұрын

@@MasonDixonAcres it's called ☀️ Bathing

@johancoetzer6371 Жыл бұрын

Also helps kills lice and bugs 🐛

@johancoetzer6371 Жыл бұрын

Like that are living on there body

@rubixmania100 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent job by a great couple. It's so nice to see you working together as a team.

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We enjoy working together. 🙂

@critter4662 6 ай бұрын

Saw the prices and was excited. Then I saw how long ago this was posted. Probably a 1,000 dollar job now with these economy. Excellent work I’ll be loosely basing my set up on this.

@MasonDixonAcres 5 ай бұрын

Haha it could be.. at least pallets are still free!

@bonnieschupp9190 2 жыл бұрын

Cutr Coop and run, perhaps your ladies are sunbathing and just loving their new resort. Thanks for posting all this

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yep, they love to sunbathe! 🙂

@Broodismanifest Жыл бұрын

First comes chicks, then comes kids! Great build, helps me get ideas for my first coop. God Bless. Could only dream I was as close to a homestead as yourselves.

@Broodismanifest Жыл бұрын

Actually i had a daughter(single dad), first and now im having chicks..! You guys plan on doing another form of livestock? Pigs, goats, moo moo?

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Everyone's lives takes a slightly different path! It's all about the journey. We are thinking pigs and sheep!

@fludrbywest3886 Жыл бұрын

It’s so comfortable!! It’s a sign! They love the run ❣️❣️🤩

@janedixon3667 3 жыл бұрын

Try some diatamatious earth in their dust bath and in their coop as it helps control parasites. Very nice coop! Thanks!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! We use that too! 😊

@LLjean-qz7sb 3 жыл бұрын

That's the position they get into before they dust bathe! Or they are just sun bathing their underside!! God Bless!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Haha yeah I think they were sun bathing! When they were younger they didn't do much dust bathing.. but now there are holes all over place and they scratch the heck up out of their dust bath.. :) -Alex

@joanpeters9330 3 жыл бұрын

Looks great!! I agree with you about the wire fencing. I have hardware cloth and I still have chicken deaths from predators. A determined predator will get in if they are really really hungry. Dogs help A LOT!!!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

The automatic door on the chicken coop definitely helps as well!

@silverpotter6325 Жыл бұрын

hawks pull thru if over half inch grid on wire mesh

@lordfaladar6261 2 жыл бұрын

Damn hippy chickys! its a chicken sitt in! they need a sandy area to "bath" in

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

hippy chickies 😂

@californialove03 Жыл бұрын

you guys did awesome! absolutely love the chicken coop, also when the chickens lay on their sides and spread their wings it just means they are sunbathing lol

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Thank you, glad you like the coop! They love sunbathing!

@swissmaid 2 жыл бұрын

Sunbathing! Love the simplicity of your coop and run. Well done. Just one little i provement, round those edges o the swi g, the ladder, roosts. They are mighty sharp for chickenfeet!

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! They really haven't used the swing sadly :( which is weird bc our neighbor has one and their chickens love it. The roosts are just 2x4s so they have slightly rounded edges, but you are probably right about rounding them further. I just did a bit of research and found a site where an experiment was done to allow chickens to choose their perch width, and 2" wide was the most popular. Might need to thin ours down a bit. Thanks for the comment!

@barbareemoore4247 2 жыл бұрын

They are comfortable and sunning !

@CarolinaGirlCreationZ 3 жыл бұрын

If you paint their little thingy off of the chicken door and the ladder thingy (allll around) with a couple of coats of exterior paint, you can easily wash it off with a hose. It's great! :)

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

That's a great idea!

@catherineshiddengarden2596 2 жыл бұрын

I love your set up but it’s not completely predictor protected. If a Predator can reach in between that wire fence it will shred your chicken’s to death. I would suggest hardware clothe for a chicken coop area. (Usually raccoons at night but just in case the chickens are left out-during the night) At least the bottom half of the run. Your probably not in a snake 🐍 infested area. But if you are then I would do the whole surroundings coop. Also secure your staples with another piece of wood on top. You’d be surprised how strong predators can be. The latches on your doors raccoons can figure out how to open as well. Sorry it might sound nick picking. Just don’t want to see your chickens 🐓 murdered. I also liked the level on the post secured with clamps while trying to level. 👍🏻. Great tip 👩🏼‍🌾

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for all of the tips! We still haven't gotten around to adding hardware cloth or chicken wire to the bottom half of our run yet but we agree that it's a good idea. Our chickens are in the coop at night with a door that shuts automatically! Thanks again.

@illinoisvideoatlarge8039 Жыл бұрын

@@MasonDixonAcres hope you take their advice….it is all TOO TRUE.

@illinoisvideoatlarge8039 Жыл бұрын

Hardware cloth on iuside so it is harder to push through….can use exterior screws and denser washers. Even fencing oeople make the mistake of putting fencing on the wrong side….imagine a goat pushing fencing out….predator would be outside pushing IN….

@danielwagner6290 3 жыл бұрын

Chickens are sun bathing. Sprawling out in the warm sun feels good to be alive.

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@foxtalktv3591 2 ай бұрын

they bake in the sun to help with mites add some tires with diatomaceous earth mixed with fresh sandy dirt so they can roll around and protect themselves. hope this helps answer your question C:

@charlenetuttle6668 2 жыл бұрын

You two look like you have a lot of fun. Great job on the coop and run. My husband and I building a coop this weekend, because our little chicks will be getting too big for their brooder very soon. Y’all were a lot of fun to watch and very clear with some great ideas. Thank you for sharing.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video & good luck with your build!

@13Foxtrot86 Жыл бұрын

Great build! Lots of great ideas and thinking before and during the build. When I was your age we didn't have KZfaq so I basically built a tool shed and put in the chickens😂 Still works great almost 30 years later. Clean up isn't near as easy.

@Holodomor4.0 2 жыл бұрын

Why haven’t I come across your channel before! You’re basically living the life myself and my mrs are trying to currently!

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

awe yay!! It's crazy how the KZfaq algorithm works?! I always say the same thing about channels!

@barking.dog.productions1777 Жыл бұрын

MR DALE he's our hero - good save mr dale 🤣👍👏👏👏👏👏

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

hahaha we love mr. Dale! He's the best neighbor!

@cmb52 3 жыл бұрын

If only I could make this!

@eduardonieto4693 5 ай бұрын

That is cool my friends about your chicken coop.

@stevendowd1708 Жыл бұрын

They are enjoying the sun

@cynthiacatnott9012 Жыл бұрын

Just chilling while sunbathing.

@danielirvine3109 2 жыл бұрын

good job I am so happy to see more Yung people going back to the way it should be.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We really enjoy DIY projects and working on our homestead!

@mrharveyspencer795 2 жыл бұрын

I found this very entertaining, inspiring and educational! Thanks.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! We had fun making it!

@tanishaharris775 2 ай бұрын

Love the run… it was hilarious that you both were right about which chicks would come out first … ( I love the sound of music lol)

@enginarasy 2 жыл бұрын

It's like I saw something flying behind you at 11:30

@frankieboy2417 Жыл бұрын

You young people just my dream of having a Chicken Palace

@judytaylor5568 Жыл бұрын

I Love yall's videos. I learned alot. At the end of yall's video of coop playground ,the birdies were laying on their sides, I'm sure yall know by now. I didn't know how to comment lol. Your birds are sunbathing, relaxing, enjoying life. I love to see them play then root around and play in the dirt then lay stretched out on their sides. Thank yall for your videos have a great day. From Russellville, Alabama.....

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Thanks for following along! We appreciate it! Glad the videos are helpful for you. We love watching our hens relaxing as well. They are so fun to have around.

@michaeldvorak8140 Жыл бұрын

They were just catching some rays an chillin out.

@user-xx9go1ob9r 5 ай бұрын

I've watched both part 1 and part 2 and I'm really impressed by your abilities considering your young ages! I would love an update on how things are working for your coop, and what if any changes you'd make. I'm going to comment on a couple of things that I think are important, for instance: in addition to the windows for lighting and air flow, you also need adequate ventilation in the winter months without causing a draft. My suggestion would have been to cut multiple holes in the plexiglass windows to allow for that in winter. Also, while your welded wire fencing is great it still allows raccoons to reach inside and grab the chooks by their necks. Adding a strip of chicken wire to the inside of that welded wire would reduce that possibility. You didn't leave them much in the way of shade in their run. A solid or at least partially solid covering would protect them from rain and snow plus give shade. It also helps to keep the run much drier, which you will want to have in the future. I love that you gave them "toys" to keep them from being bored, but they'd LOVE a nice dust bath area, too! All in all I think you guys did a great job! Thanks for sharing

@MasonDixonAcres 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words! It's been great, the only issue has been related to our own cheapness to use scrap (non PT) wood for the doors, which have started to sag and the pocket hole joints come loose. The rest of the non PT wood has held up fine for its purpose, just more grey. Size has been plenty for our flock. Soon after filming we did add a sandbox dust bath in the corner where we had that low roost. Same with shade, we added a shade cloth over that same corner. The winter ventilation is provided by the open soffit/rafters that have hardware cloth over them, I think there's better details on that in the coop build video. We haven't had any signs of predators and no birds lost, which is pretty amazing considering our rural area. In a more wooded area it is probably more critical to put tighter wire in, when we move the setup to our new house we will definitely need that as we catch fox and raccoons on trail cams nightly.

@user-xx9go1ob9r 5 ай бұрын

@@MasonDixonAcres thank you for your in-depth reply! We live on 10 acres with several close-by neighbors in a small rural community. With the way our acreage lays, we have wooded areas close by, then open pasture then trees. We often have foxes...a family lived under one of our 12x20 sheds...when they move out the resident groundhog moves back under it. Deer and raccoons are plentiful during growing season and then there are dogs in the neighborhood. A close neighbor has lost quite a few chickens to dogs and foxes. I scared up a coyote out in the pasture this summer when I was bush hogging. By the time I finished they were gone because it was too open for them. I'm adamant about heavy wire but my husband thinks chicken wire is plenty. I'm insisting....also insist on a hard cover over the run for bio-security. Wild birds especially carry diseases so I want them protected as much as possible. I'm glad your coop has held up so well without too many problems. I think you did a really good job on your coop. Keep up the good work!

@cgaill2412 Жыл бұрын

Awesome job!

@diegoceballos3040 2 жыл бұрын

Great job guys, liked ur coop, actually I've been watching some videos to build a coop for my chickens and think this is the best one.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Great!! Glad you found it to be helpful. We saved a lot of money by using recycled wood.

@chuly740 3 жыл бұрын

I think I followed your build too closely! I went to lift mine with a John Deere 3032 and it wouldn't budge! Luckily we have friends with a much bigger tractor! Hope you guys have a great season!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Hah! Sounds very familiar... always good to have friends/neighbors with the right tool for the job. Looking forward to the warmer weather, same to you!

@gingergnome 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful job! I'm loving the channel

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@taylorwatkins306 4 жыл бұрын

They like to sun themselves and dust bathe. 😀 I guess their instinct is to sun underneath of their wings and dust bathe to prevent mites and such. Mine do this all the time! They used to free range 24/7 until they picked my flower beds as their favorite place for it. 🙄

@MasonDixonAcres 4 жыл бұрын

Ours are starting to love their dust baths as well, digging chicken-sized holes in the process 😅 when I (Alex) was a kid, we had chickens with total free range of the yard, and because of that we had almost no grass or flower beds.. so i get what you mean, I’m glad they have a designated area for digging now!

@fogwarning101 4 жыл бұрын

Alex - Dude - that was a missed pro-tip. I never thought to use a clamp hold a level on a post. Great idea. Keep up the great videos.

@MasonDixonAcres 4 жыл бұрын

Haha glad you picked up on it! No idea where I learned that one, guess I was taking it for granted 😄

@thesentimentalsoul3683 Ай бұрын

TYVM for sharing

@annettehough2792 4 жыл бұрын

Nice. Waiting for more “chicken action” like using the swing

@MasonDixonAcres 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! They are so fun. We will have to make another video soon 😊

@apaint1959 Жыл бұрын

Love it, great job!

@hardwareclothwww.sebossfen6011 Жыл бұрын

This video is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!! I suggest to use small opening mesh so to keep gopher out.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! Thanks for the suggestion!

@velvet5922 Ай бұрын

Dear Lord these people have money- holy moly

@cesarramos4718 Жыл бұрын

So cool guys

@galejenness7615 6 ай бұрын

Just to let you know, I have that same wire fencing running around my 5 acres! Believe it or not, some of my chickens can go right thru those holes in the fencing and into my neighbor's field! Neighbor and I was wondering if they flew over the fence. then we both watched a chicken squeeze thru the hole in the fence! So if you have any smaller chickens or younger ones not yet fully grown completely? You may be surprised how skinny your chickens really are when they squeeze thru your fencing! 😂 I ended up having to add chicken wire to the fence around my property to keep my chickens from escaping! Fortinately that also help keep out the rabbits out of my garden too!

@Hilliorm85 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Perpendicular crossbeam.

@viewandsoundsofnature 3 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@nadinebeaumont7284 Жыл бұрын

Excellent! Ive been watching so many models on utube - this is the one for me. Insulated, clean, practical & hurricane proof. Love it. Good job! Btw - that pise is chicken yoga.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks! We know of at least one other person who basically replicated the same design. It's been great for 3+ years now

@OurNewLand 2 жыл бұрын

Looks great! Man, those sleeping chickens made me laugh. I have no idea why I found that to be so funny.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

The chickens are so silly! We had no idea how much they loved sun bathing before this day!

@dachsymom5232 3 жыл бұрын

That coop is like a tank! Great job!

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot! It’s been holding up well for about a year now! -Alex

@dachsymom5232 3 жыл бұрын

Suggestion for more shade...plant some climbing roses to train over the top then in summer when it's real hot the roses provide shade and roses are perfectly safe for chicken. Just plant on the outside of the four corners so the chicken won't dig up the rose bush.

@justinduffany7740 2 жыл бұрын

Great Job !!! Looks really good :)

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a bunch!!

@marenakahanamoku3025 Жыл бұрын

Mahalo ( Thank You) Learned lots Nice job The chickens are gathering heat Sun bathing You might have noticed doves doing this. Also after hot days when a light misty rain starts they will lift up a wing to gather some moisture to keep their skin soft and supple. No joke

@tinalowell3045 3 жыл бұрын

Looks great 👍

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Rizik1986 Жыл бұрын

Great build!

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@battlebornoutreachministri5073 Жыл бұрын

Great job. Gave me some ideas.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it! Best of luck building 🤘🏼

@jasoneykelbosh5368 2 жыл бұрын

Love the playground! The only thing missing, in my opinion, is a place for a dust bath. I saw a video where they just used an old tractor tire, then added sand/ash/dirt, etc as the level dropped.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

We since have added a dust bath in the one corner! We used two large logs.

@MsNicholsLiz Жыл бұрын

Chikens need SUNLIGHT for so many things, that's why they lay out in the Sunshine.

@nightknightlegion1273 Жыл бұрын

This is awesome, be careful, they will peck your eyes. Had my little roost try it once lol, thank goodness for reflexes.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Oh gosh haha roosters can be total menaces 😂

@fightorflightgamer4420 2 жыл бұрын

love the coop!

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@jermpoz2971 Жыл бұрын

they laying down when they feel very hot like super hot...chicken likes warm they fall asleep fast

@chayto123 2 жыл бұрын

great set up! chickens are sunbathing. Thats what I always thot it was.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yess! They love to sunbathe!

@tommielourogers4327 2 жыл бұрын

I loved it! And your Chickens are so sweet. You might need to add some hardware cloth to the lower half of the run. I can think of several very common predators that can fit through a 2” X 4” hole. Like Black Chicken Snakes, Rats, Ferrets, Minks, young Raccoons and Opossums. And from personal experience, a 6 ft Boa Constrictor named Elisabeth! Once she swallowed the bird whole, she could not get back out, but that didn’t help the bird. 🥺

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Woah, that's insane.. the snake swallowed a whole chicken?! I didn't know boa constrictors ran wild in Kentucky 😅 We luckily haven't had any predator issues in the past couple years, not sure how honestly. The coop itself is pretty tight once they are inside for the night. Hardware cloth is pretty pricey which is why we haven't done that yet. Hopefully that doesn't bite us!

@angeliabates7438 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful coup. I think I would of used the fencing to keep snakes out. Snakes can fit through wiring. Lovely coup.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! We've thought about adding chicken wire along the bottom but haven't yet.

@Skooty68 Жыл бұрын

The chicken at the end is sunbathing,it's how they do it

@elgatol4203 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@haroldmoores2873 9 ай бұрын

Outstanding video, thank you for sharing. I am guessing you don’t get much snow in your area! I am looking forward to watching more of your videos.

@MasonDixonAcres 9 ай бұрын

thank you! Not a ton of snow anymore sadly

@IglesiaPentecostalCT 2 жыл бұрын

Good job. Hello from Connecticut

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Hello there! Thanks for joining us!

@otrdriver5917 2 ай бұрын

I named mine BBQ, Chicken noodles, rotisserie, fried, etc.

@jackayher9328 Жыл бұрын

Use street elbows where you can less fittings and cuttings

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Not sure if they make those for NDS pipe!

@fookutube501 Жыл бұрын

Well you're not kidding,those post are over kill .Good work tho!

@angelenefrohmader6922 5 ай бұрын

Small❤❤❤❤❤

@beckham6282 2 жыл бұрын

When they lay on their sides they are soaking up the sun. When they kick dirt on themselves they are trying to get rid of mites or other irritants on their skin. Nice playground for the feather kids.

@dougusa6962 2 жыл бұрын

Very very nice job excellent coop and area . when can I expect you over to do one for me lol .

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm not sure we are ready to do it again lol 😂😂

@luadraponies 2 жыл бұрын

Sunbathing. Magpies, dogs, cats, horses, pigs I have seen doing it.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

They love it! They are so much happier now that the weather is warmer outside!

@microedenlocallygrownmicro6474 3 жыл бұрын

Subbed!

@atomx111 2 жыл бұрын

Please turn down the music volume. Otherwise a nice, informative video.

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

We agree, the music was really loud in this video! We've adjusted music volumes in our newer videos. Let us know if it's still too loud so we can adjust! Thanks for the feedback. We appreciate it.

@Damselfly54315 Жыл бұрын

They are sunbathing...lol...where's their dustbath?🤣

@americanpatriot7247 Жыл бұрын

Cool set up. Thanks for showing how you put this together. One thing..... the swing might need a much thicker rope on each side through a bigger hole to keep the swing steady under the chickens. It flips back and forth so they aren't able to get a purchase on it to sit steadily on it to swing. Just a thought. Have a good one.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Good point! Thanks for the input

@abehostetterjr.8702 2 жыл бұрын

Do you wanna see something really awesome get a baby pool punch a couple holes in the bottom and fill it with sand preferably play sand that way the chickens can actually take a dust bath they love doing this it gets rid of all the mites that they have sometimes and overall they just love doing it. I have one in my runner. Also them laying out in the sun they’re just sunbathing soaking up the sun while they can.

@jameswinnett4012 3 жыл бұрын

Haven't read any comments, so sorry if it's repeated. I would advise you to add a strip of chicken wire around the base as well as the 2x4 wire. I had a mink come through my 2x4 wire and devastate my flock of 12. I did have chicken wire buried on the inside of my coop, but as the chickens scratched and took dust baths in the corner, the chicken wire was unearthed and the mink took advantage of it. I don't want you guys, or anyone else for that matter, to go through what happened to me. It was a pretty down moment for our family. Just discovered and soon to subscribe to your channel. Hope it goes well! ;-)

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Oh wow the mink slipped right through the wire? Our friend had that happen with her ducks a year or two ago.. so sad :( We will have to put up some more reinforcement. The girls do have a second line of defense when asleep which is the coop itself, which is pretty well sealed with hardware cloth. Thanks for the comment! -Alex

@jameswinnett4012 3 жыл бұрын

@@MasonDixonAcres I wouldn’t rely on the coop for defense against mink. This happened during the day. There were 3 eggs laid that day, so know it happened after they came down from roost. Had the mink entered during the evening, which it may very well have, it couldn’t get to the birds. My girls were so use to our daily visits with our house cats (on leashes) 😉 that they probably weren’t even afraid of it.

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Aw that’s terrible. Minks are ruthless creatures. We will take your advice and put up some chicken wire at the bottom!

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

A mink (or is it weasels) can fit thru some pretty small holes. Chicken wire is not really designed to keep anything out, just designed to keep chickens in. The most secure wire barrier is a 1"x1" welded wire or a 1/2"× 1/2" hardware cloth. A very determined predator might figure a way to breach even that but in general that's pretty secure and fool proof...

@jameswinnett4012 3 жыл бұрын

@@gerrymatheson4020 I've not actually ruled out weasel, and without video I couldn't really say 100% mink, however, if it were weasel I believe the 1 chicken that was pulled to the point of entry probably wouldn't have been at that particular place, knowing a weasel could probable slip through in other locations. Also, there was a hole chewed in the coop door, which was pretty dilapidated, that was the size of a mink. I could see it had returned a couple days later, chewed the hole, then burrowed into the bedding and around a few partitions I keep in there for brooding and separating meat and layers birds. I've been an avid outdoorsman all my life and trapped for many of those years, chasing the mink. Again, can't say without a doubt it was a mink, but will say it is likely. We also have a pond a few yards away from the coop and see them occasionally making rounds. Only seen 1 weasel in my life, and although I don't want them around my chickens, I'd be honored to have them around. They're amazing little creatures!

@carariela Жыл бұрын

Beautiful Chicken coop & Birds!!! I love my chickens (& rooster) but boy are they dirty birds : /

@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws Жыл бұрын

I really don't know about the feeders, how many birds? They do fight over food and it seems to me that dominant birds will just take over each feeder and not allow less brave birds to feed. Almost all birds will sunbathe given a nice sunny place to spread out in. I forgot to say how much I love the run and the coop, just watched again !

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

We now have 2 J feeders for 6 birds, they seem to spread out their eating times enough that there isn't much competition. I think with more birds it would definitely become more hectic

@rorysroost1553 3 жыл бұрын

They lay on their side for cooling themselves.

@jasoneykelbosh5368 2 жыл бұрын

Our chickens do this as well. I thought it was for cooling, which made sense. But they seem to pick the sunny places to do it. You’d think if they wanted to cool off, they would pick a shady spot!? PS: love the playground, but think you should add a place for dust baths

@plscam371 Жыл бұрын

SOO great but lots of us don't have any anything like tractors or land big barns etc. not fowling and more

@a1f1l65 Жыл бұрын

Would you have done anything differently with the coop, run, water, feeder?

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Not really! The scrap wood we made the doors out of has weathered pretty good the past couple years, those should have be made from PT lumber but they still do the job. Otherwise everything still works great to this day!

@Leo85277 3 жыл бұрын

They take sun bath when the sit on one side

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

Are you sure they aren’t laying down just to cuddle with each other?? 😉

@conradofm Жыл бұрын

nice

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@petersimpson9852 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve light kills micro bugs

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

oh interesting! I'll have to look into that!

@mikedankert8777 2 жыл бұрын

Great coop! How well do your J feeders work? Does the feed keep flowing by itself? Can the chickens reach it ok? Any moisture problems? Do you have trouble with the caps sticking? I plan on mounting them just like you did. Thanks!

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

J feeders work great! We have had some moisture issues and think we might upgrade to regular PVC in the future. We just make sure to keep an eye on it and wash them out pretty frequently.

@bryanjones14 Жыл бұрын

Do you have any videos of the barn restoration?

@philippeouellet3157 Жыл бұрын

What do you do in the winter? Or do you not get a couple of feet of the white stuff?

@stephaniebohn9002 Жыл бұрын

Are you going to filter the water from the gutters? When it usually rains the elements from the roof goes into the gutter.

@MasonDixonAcres Жыл бұрын

Just a filter screen on the rain barrel, the roof is just unpainted metal so the anything coming off with rainwater is negligible

@sheilamclaughlin963 2 жыл бұрын

Plywood exposed to weather will go bad quickly, if u khave mouse problems lol, weasel ect u will need smaller hard ware cloth on the bottom, nice build, might have to expand as the family grows God bless

@MasonDixonAcres 2 жыл бұрын

Planning to repaint the coop again this year! Maybe we can one day cover it with some siding? I'll have to keep an eye out for some reasonably priced on FB marketplace. Good point about the bottom too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

@recoverinyankee6458 3 жыл бұрын

@MasonDixon, do you worry about smaller predators (i.e., rats, snakes, etc.) climbing through the holes in the fence material? Also, how do you prevent mice from entering "Chicken Acres?"

@MasonDixonAcres 3 жыл бұрын

I agree, our current run fencing probably wouldn’t keep out smaller predators such as rats or snakes but we haven’t had any issues so far! If we do notice signs of these animals we will likely add some chicken wire along the bottom of the run. We have 4 barn cats which helps with mice/rats. Our feed setup also prevents the chickens from spilling the food all over the ground which might attract the mice/rats.

@recoverinyankee6458 3 жыл бұрын

@@MasonDixonAcres, I both like and appreciate the "J" food pipes; an ingenious idea.