Chicken run roof or no roof

[BDutch]

If the fence is not higher then 2 meters e.g. a fox can climb in, even in daytime. And they are most terrible because of the surplus killing.

A strong net against birds of pray is keeping them and birds of pray out at my chicken run for 4.5 years.
Look at the drawing for a solution against most climbing and digging preditors. If you leave it open on top it is best to plant some small bushes and male hiding places for the chickens. This way they take cover when they see a hawk e.g.

I don't trust the safety of my run in the night and use a chicken guard at the entrance to the run. This way I hope to keep the pretty bastards out of the coop at night.

 

[Familyfeeders25]

Thanks everyone for your input! I frequent forums for various things but this is the first time I’ve actually taken the time to post for myself. Much appreciated for your time and thoughts!

 

[Cheychey222]

My run has no roof and our chickens have been fine, we used to have a roof tho, BTW

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
The predator risk issues have already been covered really well, but another part of the story is about your weather. If you have snow, your chickens won't want to be out in it, unless you shovel paths at least.
Mary

 

[ValerieJ]

My run has no roof and our chickens have been fine, we used to have a roof tho, BTW

You don't have birds of prey where you are?

 

[Cheychey222]

You don't have birds of prey where you are?

We do, but we keep a good eye on them. When we do see a big bird or something that can eat them we put them in the coop or just stand out there

 

[ValerieJ]

We do, but we keep a good eye on them. When we do see a big bird or something that can eat them we put them in the coop or just stand out there

You have nice BOPs. Ours will pluck a bird 10' from a human. This happened this summer to my neighbor!

 

[Cheychey222]

You have nice BOPs. Ours will pluck a bird 10' from a human. This happened this summer to my neighbor!

Wow

 

[Folly's place]

A few years ago we had a visiting Cooper's hawk who was very comfortable around humans, and was eating a youngster on our pickup tailgate right near the house!
This bird perched on the fence next to the coop, waiting for more nice chicken dinners, and took almost three weeks to move on elsewhere. He (she?) only got two of our birds, because he was so obvious about it, never tried to be unseen. I suspect a youngster, who needed to wise up.
Mary

 

[Cheychey222]

A few years ago we had a visiting Cooper's hawk who was very comfortable around humans, and was eating a youngster on our pickup tailgate right near the house!
This bird perched on the fence next to the coop, waiting for more nice chicken dinners, and took almost three weeks to move on elsewhere. He (she?) only got two of our birds, because he was so obvious about it, never tried to be unseen. I suspect a youngster, who needed to wise up.
Mary

Wow I never knew that hawks could act like that