I don't think I have enough space to do that for almost 90 chickens, but it certainly looks like a wonderful idea!
I'm able to get "old" produce from our local grocery store once/week. The vast majority of it is very much enjoyed by my girls and roos.
That's amazing! Taking on 3 coons and taking them out. What a GREAT roo!!!! Glad you gave him such a send off. He certainly earned it.
I had 3 roos take on a neighbor's German shepherd that got into the flock area. One was killed. One was badly injured and became a resident of my living room...
It's illegal to kill rattlers here as well - UNLESS you believe they are a threat to you, your family, or your livestock. Most places that make it illegal to kill venomous snakes, and even eagles and mountain lions, make exception for those that are a threat.
In the 3 years we've been here...
My cat just pretends he's going to pounce on a chicken, then rolls over and pretends he's not really interested. His behavior in other ways to other critters and people hasn't changed in the slightest.
I wrote an op-ed for the local paper and posted it on my blog - all about this issue of both egg prices and where eggs come from
https://eclecticmusings.blog/2020/03/27/of-eggs-and-egg-spences/
Depending on what else lives in the area, I know mink will also chew off toes, feet, and legs of even adult chickens on 1/4" hardware cloth.
Wrapping the legs with flashing would help, but I think better is to add a second layer of wire mesh 1 or 2 inches below the floor.
I haven't measured them, but theory is 2-part:
1. They won't dig that far, and even better,
2. The bales make it more difficult for them to smell where the strong chicken scent is so they don't really know where to dig.
I've used a metal trough as a brooder (in my living room nonetheless!) and it worked very well. I kept the bottom covered with aspen shavings. Cleaned it regularly by putting a garbage bag down in it, scooping most of the shavings into the bag, then put clean shavings in. When they were ready to...
I placed bales of hay all around the coops, except by the door. I put a large dog kennel in front of the door at night. Neighbors have had problems with coons and foxes getting into their coops but, so far (knocking on my wooden head) the varmints have left my coops alone.
I tried straw bales...
This area is definitely country also but it's the ONLY place out of many I've lived where I've actually heard several ADULTS say something to the effect of, "Ewww! I don't want farm fresh eggs! They came from a chicken's BUTT!!!!" Ya gotta wonder about the edjukashun [intentional misspell] folks...
I don't want to throw cold water on the party, but from what I've seen, multiple chicks in a single egg rarely if ever survive. There just isn't enough food or space for them.
Good luck though! Maybe you'll be the exception that "proves" the rule. :D :idunno