Any Los Angeles Chickens?

[MeNMyGirls]

Hi! I'm new here and new to chicken raising. I've got six babies coming the first week of June so I'm nesting right now and planning my coop and run. I'm sure my questions have been answered somewhere on this awsome site, but....it's huge! So, a few questions for those of us blessed with Southern California climate....I will be repurposing an old dog house - about 3'6" x 3'6" x 4' with nest boxes on the outside to reduce space usage.

1) I see a lot of coop designs with feeders/waterers, lots of space, etc inside...It seems that in my climate the girls will be spending most of their time outside, in the run and only sleeping/laying in the coop. Would a coop with mainly a sleeping layout/roosting be ok?

2) My run and coop will be fenced on all sides, including the roof. Do I need to lock my hens in at night? Or can their door stay open for them to chose their access?

3) I plan on roofing the entire length of the run, about 4' x 10', more for shade than rain protection, but how do chickens do in mud?

4) I have two small fish ponds that are bordered by raised rocks/boulders. While my girls won't be left unattended in the main yard, would they be likely to fall in and drown?

Thanks everyone!

Melinda

 

[alicefelldown]

1 - yes, this would be perfectly fine. Make sure the roosts are higher than your nest boxes though, as you don't want any hens sleeping where the eggs should go.

2 - It's up to you, if you have a secure run you can leave the coop door open at night. If you are worried about predators you should look them in the wooden coop. BUT you have to make sure you let them out early in the morning too though (or invest in an automatic door opener). My coop is inside of my run, and the coop door is never closed, whereas the run gate is.

3 - "Mud" is really wet slippery chicken poop. When you think of it that way you'll want a smaller chance of it!

Make sure that you do give them sunny areas though - nothing makes a hen happier than a nice pile of sun-warmed dirt.

4 - unlikely. I've had several coop/run combos, some with ponds and some without. Never had a chicken drown. You should be OK.