Chicken newbee

[Carol Rose]

Hi!
I am hoping to start hosting and caring for chickens in our backyard soon. I found this web site googling around for wisdom on creating an enclosure/shelter/egg laying area.

I live in the city of Tucson, Arizona, which is in the Sonoran desert on Tohono O'odham land. We have chain link fence around the property and are in a long established part of town. Though a friend in the neighborhood had a wild cat attack in her chicken enclosure, so I'm thinking about an enclosure that has wire on top as well as the sides.

I have set up our yard with basins to collect and soak in rain water, and planted native plants and trees and a few desert hearty fruit trees In anticipation of the day when those are established and water allows, I am developing soil in a couple of small garden spaces that will be for growing food. There is a lot of mulch from other people's native trees around, which I expect that the chickens will enjoy when not in their enclosure.

The place I have in mind for the chicken enclosure is in the back/west corner in the shade of a large established cascalote tree, (heat being a major concern here).

Some things I'm wondering about:
-Where I have chain link fence around the edge of the property, is that enough for those sides of the chicken enclosure?
-In one comment on this site I saw something negative about chicken mesh, something like, "I know what you'll say about chicken wire." But I don't know. What's the concern?

Carol

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Welcome to BYC!

What breeds were you thinking about getting?

I would check out the Arizona state thread to meet locals: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/

I would post in the Coop & Run forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

I definitely would cover the top of your run, it also helps keep hawks off. I wish I did when I first made my coop, it was much harder to cover a run not designed to be covered. Chicken wire just isn't very secure, does that answer your question? If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Good luck on your chicken raising adventure!
Chicken Girl1

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

http://articles.extension.org/pages/69065/feeding-chickens-for-egg-production

 

[sylviethecochin]

The negative thing about chicken wire is that it doesn't really last, (rust, wear and tear, bending out of shape when exposed to pressure) and a determined raccoon can usually rip right through it. Anyone who lives in a predator-high area would prefer to avoid chicken wire.

 

[N F C]

Chicken wire keeps chickens in but it doesn't keep predators out. And yes, definitely on the covered run.

I used to live in FL and one of the biggest challenges was keeping the chickens from over-heating. There are a number of ways to handle the heat, one of the first being to look for Mediterranean-type breeds for your flock. You'll want extra waterers, plenty of natural and artificial shade, etc. There are a lot of tips available on how to help birds beat the heat, use the search feature and there will be plenty to read.

Best of luck to you!

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I can't wait for you to meet ALL the great people on this site!
Thanks for joining our flock!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us 1/2" welded wire is your friend, when it comes to predator protection as is electric wire.

 

[Robin37]

 

[sourland]

Hardware cloth around chain link can be very effective. Electric hot wire or fencing is also a predator protection option. Welcome to BYC, and good luck in establishing your flock.

 

[drumstick diva]