Enclosure – TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources

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.

2×4 Construction, 1/2 inch black hardware cloth. Builders: **San Tan Valley Coops**

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 Coops and 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

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. 🙂

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Building a coop can be fun using scrap materials, brainstorming ways to be creative, and saving money. But all too often where you scrimped ends up costing you more later. One decision you might make, for example, is to choose chicken wire for your flock’s enclosure. It’s cheap and easy to handle, but in the long run, you’ll find it wasn’t worth saving those pennies.

First of all, chicken wire is NOT predator-proof. Countless animals can chew right through the stuff. Secondly, if you’re penny-wise, you certainly aren’t going to fancy wasting expensive chicken feed.
Wild birds are the biggest culprit in feed waste. One little sparrow might not eat much, but that tiny sparrow will soon bring hundreds of friends who will devour 3 pounds or more in just one afternoon. These little guys can fit through the holes in chicken wire, not only costing you money, but they’ll poop everywhere. I think we can both agree, we don’t need any more cleaning added to the chore list.
I’ve said this before, but it’s just plain smarter to build everything right the first time. Use hardware cloth on chicken coops, and enclosures. It’s stronger, and an extra perk is its tidy appearance. The ends can be finished nicely, it doesn’t bend making your coop look like a train wreck as time goes by.
You’ll find hardware cloth at Home Depot or similar building supply stores. Check your local feed stores too, sometimes they’ll sell by the foot so you don’t have to buy more than you need.