Do I need a run attached to my coop?

[MommyGirl]

Foxes definitely hunt during the day! They chase neighbors chickens out the woods into my yard all the time! I’m not willing to risk my chickens so mine have a large run

 

[townchicks]

There will always be times when you will want to confine them, even if those times are rare. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

 

[RoyalChick]

There will always be times when you will want to confine them, even if those times are rare. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Wise words.

 

[sourland]

There will always be times when you will want to confine them, even if those times are rare. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Excellent advice.

 

[RaesChicks]

I haven’t been doing this long, but I think it also depends on the makeup of your yard. We have tons of predators. I even have two hawks that sit on the power line waiting for my chickens and haven’t had any actual issues. But I have a lot of trees along one side of my property, several areas of bushes and native plants that provide cover as well as raised decks. All of these provide ample cover and the chickens are great at staying out of site when danger is around. I like my run though because it makes mornings easy and keeps us from running around like crazy people when we need to go somewhere. I don’t have a door on my chicken hatch to the run so they can move freely at any time.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Totally agree with what everyone has said here. If you're thinking about not building a run because of cost, consider a cattle panel hoop run.

 

[duececoop]

I have a 12 x 20 attached (half under roof)- WAY too many predators here. Let them out on a limited basis.

The only predator loss in 12 years was a determined raccoon before I learned where he was getting in up high.