We recently had the Multnomah County Vector Control come to our house and issue us a permit for our darling chickens. He was completely taken aback by our predator proof coop. Rats, raccoons and opossums are a huge problem in Portland. Especially rats. Portland has a HUGE rat problem being so close to the river and all.
It's often that we hear of rats burrowing into a coop, coons taking off with a chicken head, lovely stories. With having a 7 year old in the house, we wanted to be ultra sure that our coop would be safe so no surprises for Camille in the morning!
Our coop is 4.5' wide, 8' tall, has an enclosed 4.5' x 15' run that is secured with 1/2" x 1/2 " hardware mesh. The mesh is buried 12" down and 12" out aproned to discourage burrowing. The coop is vented and fully insulated as well.
We have a corrugated metal roof that is fully attached with no gaps to a box beam ceiling. Great bio- hazard precaution from other wild birds and their droppings.
The food and water are in galvanized metal containers that hang from chains in the run. The food is brought in every night and the bulk food stored in plastic containers inside.
The droppings tray in the hen house is on sliders so you can slide it out to change the shavings.
This coop is accessed by a 6' door that opens in as to discourage the hens from running out.
It is the perfect coop. We have found no flaws.
Your coop is amazing!!
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