A Run, or not?

[Nostalchic]

You know, at first your chickens will "free range" immediately around their coop (and destroy everything there) but eventually they will be going EVERYWHERE, including your deck, flower beds, swings, etc. Ours spread out into every bit of our 4 1/2 acres when they're out, and sometimes that is just not cool - we need to go somewhere, or friends are coming over with their dogs, etc. I think it would be a great benefit to you to have a bigger, secure run for them when total freedom isn't practical - you won't regret it.

 

[anniem]

Okay, i'm convinced!

The coop/run now is 6x10, and we have....well, 6 out there now, but the boy will have to go...and I just got 4 more last night

it just happened. Real math, well have 9...chicken math? It's big enough for keeping them in on really nasty days or for short periods but I wouldn't want to keep them that confined for too long.
Our fence has 2x4" welded wire all the way around so we're fine there, and my dog deters neighborhood animals from coming near.
We're too treed to do any real gardening, most of it is boxes on the deck so I might even put up some gates at the deck stairs to try and keep chickens off.
2 neighbors don't have fences, except for around their gardens and they both have/had true free ranging chickens and the other neighbors FR their chickens in their entire back yard so no problems there.

I was also thinking that if I did build one that it would be better to do early on so they are used to being in it. If I waited would they maybe take a "what the hell" attitude towards the fence and try to get out? Or if they want out they'll just try anyway?

Our ground is really wet right now so it's easy to sink the Tposts (we have clay so it can get really difficult), I should just do it. Okay okay, i'll do it!

Funny how I thought the main expense would building the coop....but I think i've spent just as much on fencing and all the other little "oh, I need *that*" things.