I only let my birds free range the last couple hours of the evening, only if I am out there to watch over them. My neighbors and I have lost to many to foxes and coyotes!!! I have my shotgun ready!!
I just saw your post. Where did you end up moving to?
I've lived in Laurel for 15 years. I have hens. Not sure of the
laws. I know you are allowed to have them in now in Anne Arundel county.
I started with 2 buffs. I had a broody hen who hatched 2 fertile eggs last year and 3 this year. I added the run on the left earlier this year. I just built and installed an automatic door which I painted white. Now they are let out in the morning and safe at night.
After looking on youtube and this site, I decided to build an automatic coop door. I decided to go with a power car antenna.
My antenna is a semi-automatic antenna. The advantage to the semi vs the full auto is that it doesn't need constant power.
I use one power source and two timers. Using two...