basic questions

[timco]

Hello all! We have 2 BR, 2 Aruacana, and 2 RIRs. I built a 5x4 coop, and a 10x12 or so run. We are in the city and have seen a few coons, and 1 hawk in our back yard, but that's about it. How safe am I just putting a lid on this around trees that cats can climb in on and leaving the rest open?(7 feet high walls of poultry wire) Next quesation is how high off the floor should the highest roost be? They all like the higher roost, which is about 3 feet up. 3rd question is I was thinking of not building the nest boxes for a few weeks (they are 9 weeks old) so they will get into roosting before seeing a nest box. Is this wise?

Thanks, Tim

 

[wynedot55]

i would put a cover over your run.that way nothing can get to your hens.

 

[Frizzledhen]

You are right about the nest boxes. Don't put them in until they are almost ready to lay eggs. I have never had a problem with hens roosting in nest boxes.

 

[LynneP]

I'd cover that run , too, which is what we're working on now!

 

[pattycake]

I had chicken wire on my run roof and I ended up putting a hard roof on because of the weather. It keeps it dry and shady.

My girls roosted in the nest boxes for a couple of months after I put them in, and I had to clean the poop out each morning, but then they quit for some reason and don't do it now.

 

[hensdeliverthegoods]

I'd suggest making your coop as predator-proof as possible. I've seen how devastated folks get when they lose one of their chickens. You know what they say about an ounce of prevention...

Julie