Every year brings new opportunities for improvements in our coop, and this year is no different. One significant upgrade stands out: the installation of an evaporative cooler to ensure my hens stay comfortable in the desert heat. Additionally, I’ve expanded the run, incorporated surveillance cameras so I can keep an eye on them, upgraded the shade cloth for better sun protection, and insulated all the barn pipes to help keep the water cooler. So let’s take a look!
Aisle to the coopInside the 10×10 walk-in coop.Streamers are there so I know the fans are working. 🙂Feeding stations in outdoor runFully covered run with extra nest boxesBrooder in the community run for mothers to be
After 15 years of raising chickens in numerous different coops, I finally went all out and had San Tan Valley Coops of Arizona build the chicken coop of my dreams.
Every chicken enthusiast understands that maintaining a chicken coop is an ongoing endeavor of constant upgrades. There’s always room for improvement, particularly when it comes to size, as coops never seem spacious enough to accommodate our flock that somehow keeps getting bigger. Concern about the safety from predators is always a concern, and aesthetically, there’s a never-ending desire to make a coop better. Owning and raising birds is only half the enjoyment; the other half lies in having a coop that is not only functional but also a comfortable place for us to do chicken chores. The transformation of this build is by San Tan Valley Coopsand without a doubt, it showcases impeccable craftsmanship. I must admit, maybe I indulged a bit this time, but I have no regrets. As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for,” and without a doubt, San Tan Valley Coops delivered pure quality.
Before & After
The Completed Coop With Shade Cloth Installed for Protection from the Sun
Side View
The frame is 2×4 construction, heavy-grade 1/2-inch black hardware cloth, and two doors to make coop access easy. Door latches are high quality, and I’m confident the entire build is predator-proof. Coyotes, bobcats, and hawks are my problem here, but good luck, guys; getting into this coop is definitely not going to be worth the challenge. The building’s foundation is set on railroad ties secured in concrete and railroad spikes. I have a 10×10 interior coop for the night, where there is a little more protection from the summer monsoons and infrequent seasonal wind. It doesn’t get cold here in the winter; temps seldom drop below 40. Although it hardly ever rains here, the barn roof is waterproof and has an ample overhang. And, because I’m not crazy enough… I put cameras in the coop so I can check on my girls from the house. 🙂
It’s been a long time coming, after numerous predator attacks, and no way to keep my coop comfortable in Phoenix’s ridiculous heat, I’m finally doing something about it. I’m digging deep into my pockets and considering these two options. Option #1 is to have my covered corrals enclosed by a local company that specializes in custom enclosures. It will be done with wood framing and hardware cloth and have two entry doors. Or, option #2, building an entirely new coop by a local custom builder. The builders are coming in mid-June to discuss these options. I’m open to their suggestions, but I’m leaning towards enclosing my corrals because of our summer monsoon storms. It was built in 2013 and I know it can withstand winds that exceed 70 MPH and stays dry in heavy rain.
Option#1: Enclosing Existing CorralsOption #2: A New Coop Build (adding large wired windows)This is what I want to enclose for my chickens.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 