Argy-bargy check

[Gwethrien]

Definitely plan to change out the chicken wire when we do big improvement. We have seen a hawk or two in area, our yard has loads of cover, we are accepting of some risk for the free range benefits.

We have a Jack Russell mutt who is actually very chill and good with chickens in sense that he would desperately love to be a part of the flock though the chickens are super keen and keep pecking his butt when he gets too close. He is pretty protective of our space and seems to deter some of those skunk/possum/raccoons types from the yard.

We are dealing with a bit of a rat issue we have Chicken safe baited Traps and have been more vigilant about food lock up. I won’t consider chicks until I get that situation more under control.

 

[aart]

This is current set up.

Is that a set of bottom kitchen cabinets?
That's pretty small for a coop...what are the dimensions?

 

[Gwethrien]

4x2.5 so 10 square feet the roost bar goes all the way across and there’s is a mid cross bar. I Have three RIR so it isn’t 4 sq ft per bird, my initial research said 3 sqft was sufficient. So far I haven’t encountered any issues indicating space is too small. Ventilation is also on low side of acceptable range. Clearly expansion is warranted. It is going to add an additional 13.33 sg ft.

 

[aart]

4x2.5 so 10 square feet the roost bar goes all the way across and there’s is a mid cross bar. I Have three RIR so it isn’t 4 sq ft per bird, my initial research said 3 sqft was sufficient. So far I haven’t encountered any issues indicating space is too small. Ventilation is also on low side of acceptable range. Clearly expansion is warranted. It is going to add an additional 13.33 sg ft.

Might be fine for 3 birds that grew up together.....
....but integrating new birds needs extra space.
Is your run predator proof?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Might be fine for 3 birds that grew up together.....
....but integrating new birds needs extra space.
Is your run predator proof?

I think they're free range in her backyard.

 

[Gwethrien]

Yup, we free range in our backyard.