Am I doing the right thing - I'm new

[DobieLover]

This is my coop and run. My husband and I built it.

Looks good. It's already been mentioned and will now be seconded that you need to run a lower row of 1/2" hardware cloth over the chicken wire to protect them better.
I would also add more organic material into the run for litter. I use a thick layer of wood chips that I get for free at a local Town Highway Department garage where they shred the branches that are collected curbside.
A few more things in the run for them to perch on or dig around would also be nice for them.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I give them a crate full of dry sand undercover, but they seem to prefer getting filthy in the really muddy mud.

 

[New farm girl]

Looks good. It's already been mentioned and will now be seconded that you need to run a lower row of 1/2" hardware cloth over the chicken wire to protect them better.
I would also add more organic material into the run for litter. I use a thick layer of wood chips that I get for free at a local Town Highway Department garage where they shred the branches that are collected curbside.
A few more things in the run for them to perch on or dig around would also be nice for them.
View attachment 2499760

GREAT suggestions. How big is your run? It looks like you have a large number of chickens. My coop have 4 nesting boxes, how many would you put in it?

 

[New farm girl]

My chickens have always just made their own dust baths where ever it suited them lol.
That looks like a nice sized run for your small flock. I just thought I would mention to you that it looks like you used chicken wire and that will not keep any predators from getting in and to your chickens. Hardware cloth or heavy gauge wire is best for keeping them out. I would hate for you to come home and find your chickens had been attacked.

I will work on the hardware cloth, thank you! I do have a large number of cats that help keep critters away. Not 100% great, but it helps. I also work from home and have blink cameras on them so I can watch them.