Building a fox-proof chicken coop

— 2 minute read

We're building a new home for our chickens that is fully protected from the lovely critters that roam our neighbourhood. ​Tough luck foxes, martens and perhaps also weasels.

Design

I designed the coop in Sketchup and decided to go with a roof at an angle. But in the final implementation we went with a flat roof as that was easier to build. Built with treated cls studs and wire mesh.

Chicken Coop
The design

Build

We started by painting and then cutting the lumber to size.

Chicken Coop
Cutting lumber to size.

We built the frames on the floor and used a spacer to attach the uprights. Everything is screwed together.

Chicken Coop
Building the frames.

Chicken Coop
We built the rest of the frames on top of the other frames.

Chicken Coop
We started assembling the coop, trying to keep everything level and square.

Chicken Coop
We attached the wire mesh to the roof frames beforehand.

Chicken Coop
Roof is in place.

The door

Chicken Coop
Cutting half lapses for the door.

Chicken Coop
Started assembling the door, glued and screwed.

Chicken Coop
And painted.

Does it work?

Sure does! We also don't lose any food to birds anymore.

Chicken Coop
We finished attaching the wire mesh and the door.