Shelter ideas in open pens

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Dolivo said:


I had to draw a rough sketch of it. Coop and existing pen are what the chickens have now. Pen 2 & 3 will be built this spring.
Click to expand...
whats the space for each pen?

WRT roosters it really depends on the breed. I have always had between three and five at one time. Like someone said the hens tend to scatter about. I have watched my roos post them selves on opposite corners or near the most hens. And Yes the hens will alert as well.

Always an alpha roo in the group... He was the Boss or alpha and squabbles would occure but well within the range of normal behavior. Usually with only a pulled feather or two following a screaming and running session
gig.gif
. The offence? someone trying to get a lick in when his back was turned. But for the most part pretty peaciful coexistance. benefits of being raised together.
 
Hmmm I don't know the measurements of the pens, but they are not small. I live on 12 acres and I would guess each pen is 2,000 sq ft at least.
 
I am new to chicken keeping. Our coop will be built on a hill that is pretty barren. I'm planning on using electric wire fence around about an acre to keep out most ground predators. I've seeded part of it with clovers and grasses for foraging, and have a large number of blackberry seedlings that I bought from the state conservation department for pretty cheap, and will plant several of those in the chicken pen.

I'm thinking of making a teepee or two from leftover pole bean seeds for a shelter?? I also have sunflower seeds that I bought to shade the coop, which is raised 18 inches off the ground as an additional shelter. I have an igloo doghouse that I found on the curb that my dog never used but maybe the chickens will?

I really love this picture of a chicken gazebo that we could build from fallen wood:
8dfc2c352fa333ee7319c42261647aea.jpg


And I saw very simple ideas here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698036/hawks-how-can-i-keep-the-hawks-away-from-my-chickens/90

I also bought some reflective tape that I am planning on putting strips on cheap wooden stakes to make "flags" around the area.

It really sounds like anything the chickens can hide under or that disrupts the hawk/eagle from being able to make a dive will help deter.
 
silarajc said:
I am new to chicken keeping. Our coop will be built on a hill that is pretty barren. I'm planning on using electric wire fence around about an acre to keep out most ground predators. I've seeded part of it with clovers and grasses for foraging, and have a large number of blackberry seedlings that I bought from the state conservation department for pretty cheap, and will plant several of those in the chicken pen.

I'm thinking of making a teepee or two from leftover pole bean seeds for a shelter?? I also have sunflower seeds that I bought to shade the coop, which is raised 18 inches off the ground as an additional shelter. I have an igloo doghouse that I found on the curb that my dog never used but maybe the chickens will?

I really love this picture of a chicken gazebo that we could build from fallen wood:
8dfc2c352fa333ee7319c42261647aea.jpg


And I saw very simple ideas here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698036/hawks-how-can-i-keep-the-hawks-away-from-my-chickens/90

I also bought some reflective tape that I am planning on putting strips on cheap wooden stakes to make "flags" around the area.

It really sounds like anything the chickens can hide under or that disrupts the hawk/eagle from being able to make a dive will help deter.
Click to expand...
Any plants that you want to keep alive in a chicken run need to be protected. What they don't eat, they will uproot with scratching.
 
silarajc said:
I am new to chicken keeping. Our coop will be built on a hill that is pretty barren. I'm planning on using electric wire fence around about an acre to keep out most ground predators. I've seeded part of it with clovers and grasses for foraging, and have a large number of blackberry seedlings that I bought from the state conservation department for pretty cheap, and will plant several of those in the chicken pen.

I'm thinking of making a teepee or two from leftover pole bean seeds for a shelter?? I also have sunflower seeds that I bought to shade the coop, which is raised 18 inches off the ground as an additional shelter. I have an igloo doghouse that I found on the curb that my dog never used but maybe the chickens will?

I really love this picture of a chicken gazebo that we could build from fallen wood:
8dfc2c352fa333ee7319c42261647aea.jpg


And I saw very simple ideas here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698036/hawks-how-can-i-keep-the-hawks-away-from-my-chickens/90

I also bought some reflective tape that I am planning on putting strips on cheap wooden stakes to make "flags" around the area.

It really sounds like anything the chickens can hide under or that disrupts the hawk/eagle from being able to make a dive will help deter.
Click to expand...

by the way I love that gazebo.... I have lots of twisty wood I could use....

deb
 
perchie.girl said:
they will clean the yard out better n goats
Click to expand...

I have heard they clean out an area really well - hoping the lower density of chickens on that plot will help mitigate that, but...I was planning on putting wire around any plantings to keep the chickens out, at least until it has time to establish itself and grow.
 

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