Complete novice; been reading but plain n simple overwhelmed!

[ChooksChick]

If regular fencing means chain-link, then it is fine for protection against dog, but weasels and minks (you almost certainly have them but don't know it- I'm in a pretty big city and my neighbors lost 12 birds in one night to a mink) can get in, so it's got to be closed at night if you have holes less than 1"- and not chicken wire. Raccoons (worst city predator out there) can get into chicken wire.

Please at least go read a quick article about predator-proofing. Here's another about things you'll want in your coop.

 

[EweSheep]

That is the set up for city living LOL!

I agree with folks in here, and keep reading and keep learning!

As for the chain link fencing, yes it will keep dogs and cats out of it but not weasels, minks and rats. Yep we have them in the city.

We also have coons as well and they don't come around that much because neighbors have outside dogs so the barks they produced was enough to deter them away. However I did lose a few birds to weasels or rats so poison baits under the coop floor was the way to go.

Sometimes a very determined feral tom cat or starving pregnant queen can get into the coop with some opening of any kind, even between posts where your fence mets if you use chain link panels.

 

[brounii]

Just from the dimension that you gave on page one, I came up with this:

A 10'x10' coop will house 20 standard sized chickens comfortably, and the 10'x20' run will suffice for 20 birds. You'll still be able to have your 25'x30' garden as well as a generous walkway between the two.

 

[ARose4Heaven]

My goodness, all these replies would even scare me!

Having a chicken live in the house is NOT something most people do. My mother did, but I would never!

20 chickens...order Red or Black Sex-links...that way you are guaranteed all girls. They are generally less expensive to start your flock with. You can always get the more exotic breeds a few at a time later.

Make your coop 12' x 8' and your run twice that. Be sure to leave space to add on later... chicken math will strike.

Do NOT fence your run with chicken wire! It is for keeping chickens in, NOT keeping predators out. Use Hardware Cloth around the lower 36 - 48" of the fence. Chicken wire is Ok for the top, but not the best.

Put a tarp or roof over part of your run so they have shade.

Make both coop and run at least 6 foot high so you can get in to clean, feed and water.

For meat, you probably will want to get Cornish Rocks, that will be in their own coop and run. They will only be there for 8-10 weeks anyway, and then in the freezer. Yes, they smell, but they don't fly, and don't require a huge run, because they are too heavy to do a lot of running around.

That said...this is just my opinion...everybody here has their own way of doing things. Chickens are easy to raise, and the rules can be bent, the birds just want food, water, shelter, and room to play.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I'm still kicking myself for using chickwire on the first run.