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Hi! :frow Welcome to BYC! I like the idea of a hardware cloth roof, with some outdoor areas that are covered so they can be outside when it rains or snows. I think if the structure is built nicely, it can look quite nice from your deck. The hardware cloth, if you use it all the way around your coop and run, will keep the predators at bay. That being said, my run is protected by electric fence and bird netting. I do that because there are several trees in the run and a roof has not been an option until I found a place and a way to convince my DH to build one for me. They will still free range under the netting during the day, but safe at night, or in high predator times. So many ways to protect your chickens. Lots of ideas in the coop and run design forum that @TwoCrows linked.
 
Welcome

The location will put the coop in a wooded area with tree coverage but the sun will be on the south and west side of it and the run will be on the sunny side, too - but with something to provide shade.
I’m considering the automatic coop door opener if anyone has experience with them; just to help out our chicken-sitting friends when we are away. We have loads of wildlife here. Comments?
Our last hens were a variety of breeds but most of the eggs were very large and brown with a deep orange yolk. They were absolutely delicious! I’ll be trying to find hens that can provide eggs like that again.
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You can plant e.g. berry bushes in the run withouth roof. For shade and a threat. Or outside for shade and a treath for yourself.

I have a automatic door opener between te coop and the run. Great if you are away for a few days so neigbours only have to come once a day to care for the chickens (and the eggs). And it's even possible to let them free range if I am not sure to be back before sunset. (see reviews for more info).

I have 2 types special netting on top of the run.
  1. Strong netting against /made for prey birds.
  2. Cat netting with a thin metal wire inside.
This is not as strong as hardware cloth. But the view is nicer. Untill now I had no problems with preditors. Anyway I am sure it keeps prey birds out. Maybe it will do in combination with electric wire? A roof is not nescessary if you have a big coop or with enough hiding places in the run. I like to have good soil in the run with some plants and worms to dig for.

You get brown eggs from chickens with red earlobes. Big chickens lay bigger eggs. To get tastefull eggs with dark yolk you can give extra fresh food on top of the layer feed and feed a bit more mais then usual. Carrots and paprika give darker yolk too.
 

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