Coop and run or just coop?

ChickenMarc

Hatching
6 Years
Apr 12, 2013
8
0
7
Hi all! This is my first post and I am a new to raising backyard chickens. I have four chickens that are still babies. I do have a coop that is big enough for them to sleep in - but not to live in once they are adults. I live in a suburban neighborhood with a small yard. I do have a 8 foot fence and multiple trees in the yard. Ideally I would like to let them out when I go to work and have them sleep in the coop at night (and roam the yard freely during the day). However, I am concerned they will get out and disappear (or be eaten by neighbor dogs). I have found conflicting information on the internet on this issue. Should I build a run or just clip their wings (or something else)? How large should this run be if I do construct it?

Thanks
Marc
 
Although I am new to chickens currently, I did have them about 25+ years ago so I hope I can help. From what I've researched, if you put a "buffer wire" on top of your fence, you "should* be fine. Basically, run a row of wire along the inside of your fence a few inches from the top of your fence and a couple of inches inside that fence. What this does is make an unbalanced area for the birds to jump to if they decide to try getting over your fence. I would also recommend setting up an electric fence along the perimeter of your yard to help deter dogs & such hazards to your chooks.I use one and it's a fence charger for about 10X the distance I need. This way I know that any predator that dares come too close is going to get knocked on their butts! Of course, all this changes once the girls have free range access, which is in about 2 weeks. But they have plenty of cover and I'm home 24/7, plus I have dogs that will alert me if any ground predator takes an interest.
 
Sounds like you're where we were last June. We built a hen house & enclosed run on an existing concrete pad. The girls spend most of their days roaming our yard unless we won't be home look lock them up at dark. Then we're grateful to know they're safe.
 

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