Finally found a mini farm in FL

We are buying 4 acres on the Gulf side. I haven't moved yet but just feel helpless and helpless about having my chickens again. It has been about 20 years and I have worked my way so I can buy this farm and have my chickens again. Before, coons, foxes,opossums, mink and any other thing you can think of got them. Oh my ducks too. I really didn't know the seriousness of predators then I was in PA. Now I am coning down loaded for gun. Please anyone out there offer their wisdom in being able to keep their precious flocks. Chickens, ducks, geese,guineas, Thank you

gators, bears, coyotes, feral pigs and birds of prey.

good luck. build strong, use electric fencing and get after it.

Impermeable housing that is religiously locked up at sun down. A run made of !/2 inch welded wire with 2' apron for the bottom 2 feet (4' of welded wire total), followed by 4 feet of 4" cattle fencing to make a fence that is about 6 feet high, all sewn together with wire. Electric fencing or electrified netting perimeter. A cover of poultry netting over the top of the run. That's what I do. I've been keeping poultry for quite a while. I live in a wildlife corridor that is bordering on a stream. I have every predator that is in the US except mountain lions. I have yet to lose a bird when they are in the yard. I only lose birds when they are free ranging.

I would recommend 2 houses attached to a large run. I have a large, airy coop and a short, squat duck house. My birds used to be separated, but they all ended up in the same house by their choosing, which is fine. The duck house is now used as a hospital coop/jail for naughty birds/introduction cage. Having the two houses has been wonderful. You never know when you are going to need to separate a bird or two, and having that option is a lot nicer than housing the segregated bird(s) in my garage.

Good luck. And welcome back to poultry keeping.

OM GOSH, will I be able to see my birds with all thatI love it. I am going to print this out and take with me. I wish I had a picture. My visuals aren't that good but if I give this to a coop builder he will know. I am also going to arm myself with a 22 long rifle. I read that is the weapon to have for small animals waiting to murder. Thank you so much. And thanks for the welcome. I FINALLY bought the farm !!!! By the way, how many chicken do you have and what kind ? I want Australorps and Buff Orphingtons and Silkies, have to have Silkies or three is no use in moving.. I know in FL I will have to take special care of the heavier breeds but I want docile pet breeds as well as eggs.

We live in a heavily wooded area of Florida with lots of predators. So far we have not had any problems. Our hens stay in a tractor and graze in the lower part. They go up into a secure coop at night. We have the Pullet Shut door that runs on a small solar panel which lets them out every morning and locks them in every night.

I will be in Crystal River in no man's land with woods on both sides. Are you close ? So those solar door really work ? I want one...can I get one at a place down there or do I need to buy online. I know a man that builds coops and maybe he can install one of those for me. What does your coop look like ? Is the coop all above ground and have along ladder so the chickens can have underneath the coop to scratch too ? I need the most space for them to do their thing. Thank you

It can fit 12 chickens. We currently have 8

They go in the upper part at night, there is a ramp. This is the door.

lanaschix said:

They go in the upper part at night, there is a ramp. This is the door.

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lanaschix said:

Thanks for the pictures, I want one and I want yards and yards of electric fencing enough to stop a buffalo in its tracks

It can fit 12 chickens. We currently have 8

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