Complete newbie - building our coop now need info on BEST fencing

[chicknerd]

HI

My 'Fort Knox' run is made with 2"x4" welded wire from top to bottom including parts of the roof (some of the roof is covered for bad weather). We then used chicken wire to close the holes - but I find chipmunks can still get in. We used the hardware cloth only for the apron and about 2 feet up the fencing due to its cost. It went over the 2x4 welded wire at the base. No problems with predators except when the girls are free ranging (hawks). I have a large Pyr that has chased several predators away and incidentally they dont seem to come back (we have had chickens for over 2 years now).

My husband thought I was crazy to ask for such protection, but he sees the value after hearing a fox near the coop 2 summers ago. I dont think you can ever be too safe wrt chickens.

Good luck!

 

[dkl38]

Great and thanks for the thoughts on the window...I am thinking the same as it will look odd with it but I was thinking maybe the ladies would like to sun themselves in the winter months...Yup those two dogs are mine...I am hoping they do ward off predators but I still see plenty of coys and foxes so taking the extra precautions. I ordered the hardware cloth last night and going to in-case the whole run, put it underground 1-2 feet, roof/shingle the roof too. I am going to use the hardware cloth for the windows too with a flip wood cover with latches. What else?

I was researching the Great Pyrs and wish I had one but they are big dogs!

 

[dkl38]

Finished Coop! Intact with 6 hens and one rooster...woohoo! Thanks for all your guidance here. I ended up not getting the rooster that came with the flock as he was very aggressive and I got a 3 month old rooster that needed to be re-homed due to roosters not be allowed in the town. He is a sweetheart and very nice to his new ladies.

Question do I keep grain in the coop during the day (in case they want to go in - which I do not see them going in) or just move it outside?

There is a large window on the opposite side.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Looks good! As for where to put the feed, do whatever works for you. I keep all my feed in the coops as I don't want it to get wet when it rains.