Building the ultimate chicken coop: Charlotte Seaton’s journey from first hens to predator-proof paradise
06 January 2026
Charlotte Seaton: Registered Veterinary Nurse, BSc Zoology
Hi, I am Charlotte, a registered veterinary nurse with an additional degree in zoology. Combining my professional knowledge with decades of hands-on chicken-keeping experience, I’ve developed a strong focus on welfare-led, predator-proof chicken housing.
I focus on the importance of providing generous space and enrichment to keep chickens healthy, safe and content year-round.
From first hens to a lifelong passion
After months of begging for pet chickens, a family holiday stay on a farm changed my parents ‘no!’ to a ‘maybe’, and soon after, on my 11th birthday, I was beyond excited to welcome our first six hens to our family and instantly fell in love with them! Their inquisitive minds, quirky personalities, fluffy bottoms and loving nature make chickens truly wonderful pets!
Our first chicken house was a DIY masterpiece lovingly built by my dad from recycled pallets. After a few years and many ‘accidental’ additional hens, we upgraded to a larger wooden Ark, and I took over the top third of my parents' garden with an electric fence enclosure.
In my first own home, my husband and I converted the shed and built a large run, nicknamed by my friends as the ‘Tiger enclosure’. We took no risks and dug down, built a mesh skirt to prevent predators from digging, and completely enclosed it in two layers of thick mesh.
Predator-proofing is non-negotiable in the design of my chicken runs. Foxes, rats and even some pets see chickens as an easy target. Chicken wire is designed to keep chickens in, not predators out, and a motivated dog or fox can easily chew through it, causing devastating results. As a chicken keeper, their safety is my responsibility.
Designing with welfare and space in mind
UK welfare guidelines for backyard chickens recommend around 2 m² of run space per hen and at least 15 cm of perch space per bird, but the more space you can give your hens, the better!
Less crowding means fewer behaviour issues, a cleaner environment and happier birds. Having plenty of run space enables you to add enrichment - logs, extra perches, mirrors, dust baths, pecking toys and hanging treats. Busy chickens are happy chickens.
If you can, build a walk-in run: it’s easier to maintain, easier to top up feeders/drinkers, allows you to add extra levels, gives you space to spend quality cuddle time with your birds and is kinder on your back (no one wants to crawl in poo!)
Take the time to plan and design your chicken run before you start building. A strong, predator-proof design is always worth the investment, for you and your flock.
Future-proof and make the run as large as your space allows; honestly, chicken keeping is addictive, there will always be another breed that you HAVE to have!
Why predator-proofing is non-negotiable
Foxes only need one opportunity to get into a weak coop, and so “learning from mistakes” can be devastating. It’s far better to build a secure, predator-proof setup from the start than to heartbreakingly discover weaknesses too late.
Over the years, through experience, I’ve discovered what does and doesn’t work, which has led to my current coop design. Built with 16-gauge welded mesh, which is strong enough to resist fox teeth, giving me the confidence in their safety, day or night. The 25mm mesh squares are small enough to keep predators and wild birds out, and baby chicks in!
Wet winters and Avian Flu led us to require a tarpaulin roof to keep the girls safe and dry. But it sagged, collected rain (which I had to poke out with a broomstick!), tore easily and looked ugly.
Upgrading with Onduline
My favourite upgrade to our current coop, therefore, was adding an Onduline roof.
The ONDULINE CLASSIC sheets can withstand strong winds (unlike a tarp!), keep the run dry in the rain and provide shade in the summer. A dry run means less mud, less smell, better foot health, lower parasite pressure and enables dust baths that stay usable all year.
The unique wavy design of the Onduline sheets helps reduce noise during heavy rain, keeping the chickens calmer, unlike noisy metal or flapping tarps! In addition, the CLASSIC black sheets perfectly complement the stained black wooden frame, contrasting against my stained-glass windows, creating a stylish design that protects my chickens’ health whilst looking beautiful in my garden.
Onduline roofing sheets are available at Wickes and B&Q, with matching accessories designed to protect your chicken coops and keep them watertight for years.