Building my coop and run next week

[mstruhs]

I have an old playset that I am converting to coop. The structure is about 5' x5' , so based on 2sf/bird and my plan on about 6 hens--I should be in good shape. I have a large garden area (fenced off with 6' fences on three sides and a 4'chain link on one side. My plan is to let the chickens out to forage in the garden area when i can. evenings etc depending on how much they raise hell with my garden (tomatoes, lettuce, cukes, mellons and whatever else i plant spur of the moment. What I really don't want them to eat is the tomatoes).

I plan on building a run about 8' x16' and putting a 6" fence around it. The coop will act as one end of the run so the chickens can have free rein to go in and out of the coop to the run. I am wondering if i need to cover the run?
I live in the city, Salt Lake City, Utah, however there are occasional raccoons in the area. My dogs have been slapped before by the coons, they are large dogs , labs and as a rule the coons stay away. One side of the run will be a wood fence, which I believe the coons could probably climb up and run along the top should they choose.

do you all lock the hens in their coop at night? If so, I doubt the coons would come during the day. Ideally i would like not to lock them in the coop at night.
What is everyone ones thoughts.

 

[mamaKate]

Yes, you need to lock them up at night unless the run is predator proof. Raccoons are excellent climbers. The dogs may keep them out. I guess you have to decide if it's worth the risk. They will decimate your garden.