Coop questions

[Rebecca]

I want a back yard Coop. I'm planing on having a fenced in area for my chickens. I'm not sure of the size yet. I want to give them as much space as possible. How do you keep fox and other predators out. I think fox will be my main concern. Im going to use fencing and then have a little enclosure with nesting boxes and to keep them out of the weather. I also dont know what kind of chickens I will have. But I will probably get 4 or 5. Thanks!

 

[NatJ]

I want a back yard Coop. I'm planing on having a fenced in area for my chickens. I'm not sure of the size yet. I want to give them as much space as possible. How do you keep fox and other predators out. I think fox will be my main concern. Im going to use fencing and then have a little enclosure with nesting boxes and to keep them out of the weather. I also dont know what kind of chickens I will have. But I will probably get 4 or 5. Thanks!

A fence is a good start for keeping out predators. Most people use some kind of wire mesh for fences. The kind sold as "chicken wire" is not strong enough, because foxes and other predators can usually rip holes in it. Strong kinds of wire mesh are usually fine. Many people use hardware cloth (little square holes, about half an inch each way.)

Some predators can jump or climb over fences. That can be stopped by putting a roof on the fenced area: either a solid roof, or a roof of wire fencing material if you want sun and rain to still be able to come in. Foxes are one kind of predator that can jump or climb over fences: I have seen one go over a wood fence 6 feet high. It went so fast I couldn't tell whether it was actually jumping or climbing, but it certainly went over. (That fence was the kind with wooden boards running straight up and down, so not easy for people or dogs to climb, but the fox somehow went right over it.)

Some predators can dig underneath a fence to get inside. An "apron" of hardware cloth will usually prevent this. Attach hardware cloth to the bottom of the fence on all sides, and lay it flat on the ground outside the fence. When a fox or other animal tries to dig next to the fence, the hardware cloth stops it. Apparently if you use something like big rocks, predators will back up and dig under the rocks, but they don't realize they can do that with the hardware cloth.

Im going to use fencing and then have a little enclosure with nesting boxes and to keep them out of the weather. I also dont know what kind of chickens I will have. But I will probably get 4 or 5. Thanks!

What climate do you live in? It helps if you list what country you live in, or for a big country like the USA tell your state as well. That way people in the same climate can give better advice.

Being out of the weather can be very different for some kinds of weather than others. In general, chickens do best if they can stay out of rain, snow, and heavy wind. They also need shade in hot weather.

 

[DobieLover]

I'm not sure of the size yet.

Standard size chickens require 4 sq ft of floor space, about 1 linear ft of roost space and as close to 1 sq ft of PERMANENTLY open and predator proofed ventilation per bird as possible. One nest box per 4-5 birds will suffice with 2 boxes minimum if you only have 4-5 birds.

Their outdoor run area should be in a very well drained, DRY location with an area of full shade if possible. Having some or all of it protected by a pitched solid roof is ideal. The run should offer an additional 15 sq ft of space per bird.

There are a lot of people who will recommend 10 sq ft/bird as the minimum run size. But when you are looking at your flock of full grown chickens and lay out that amount of space for them you quickly realize it is not enough.

Having more space helps in so many ways.
It keeps the poop load per sq foot down to something the earth and some dry organic litter can manage.
It give the birds more personal space when they need it.
It provides space for enrichment like lots of different height roosting, pallets or boards or whatever leaned up against the run walls for hiding places as well as multiple feed and water locations.
Having more space also gives broody hens more room to maneuver within the flock to raise her chicks.
It also makes integration easier for non-broody raised chicks.

How do you keep fox and other predators out.

You need to have sturdy fencing. Chicken wire is not at all predator proof. You need 1/2" hardware cloth over 2x4 wire or chain link or another sturdy fence. Backing that up with well placed hot wires or poultry netting that is powered with a very punchy charger (10,000 volts/1.2 Joule output minimum) will be a very convincing deterrent indeed.

I use 1/2" hardware cloth to secure all ventilation and windows openings in my coop and cover the run walls with it. It is also extended out 18-24" across the ground and pinned down with heavy duty landscape staples to form a predator apron to keep out digging predators. My whole setup sits inside 1/3 acre enclosed with poultry netting with the above mentioned charger. In 8 years, not a single bird has been lost to a ground predator in this set up. I have seen fox, racoon, fishers and black bear in my yard and have heard coyote and bobcats. None mess with my chickens.

 

[Chicken butler]

Foxes can dig under fences so it's best to use horse panel fencing and bury it down a bit. Also if you live In a largely predator populated area, guinea birds help by making lots of noise that alert you and often can scare the predator.

 

[Rebecca]

Standard size chickens require 4 sq ft of floor space, about 1 linear ft of roost space and as close to 1 sq ft of PERMANENTLY open and predator proofed ventilation per bird as possible. One nest box per 4-5 birds will suffice with 2 boxes minimum if you only have 4-5 birds.

Their outdoor run area should be in a very well drained, DRY location with an area of full shade if possible. Having some or all of it protected by a pitched solid roof is ideal. The run should offer an additional 15 sq ft of space per bird.

There are a lot of people who will recommend 10 sq ft/bird as the minimum run size. But when you are looking at your flock of full grown chickens and lay out that amount of space for them you quickly realize it is not enough.

Having more space helps in so many ways.
It keeps the poop load per sq foot down to something the earth and some dry organic litter can manage.
It give the birds more personal space when they need it.
It provides space for enrichment like lots of different height roosting, pallets or boards or whatever leaned up against the run walls for hiding places as well as multiple feed and water locations.
Having more space also gives broody hens more room to maneuver within the flock to raise her chicks.
It also makes integration easier for non-broody raised chicks.

You need to have sturdy fencing. Chicken wire is not at all predator proof. You need 1/2" hardware cloth over 2x4 wire or chain link or another sturdy fence. Backing that up with well placed hot wires or poultry netting that is powered with a very punchy charger (10,000 volts/1.2 Joule output minimum) will be a very convincing deterrent indeed.

I use 1/2" hardware cloth to secure all ventilation and windows openings in my coop and cover the run walls with it. It is also extended out 18-24" across the ground and pinned down with heavy duty landscape staples to form a predator apron to keep out digging predators. My whole setup sits inside 1/3 acre enclosed with poultry netting with the above mentioned charger. In 8 years, not a single bird has been lost to a ground predator in this set up. I have seen fox, racoon, fishers and black bear in my yard and have heard coyote and bobcats. None mess with my chickens.

View attachment 4319804

This is very helpful. Thank you!

 

[Rebecca]

Standard size chickens require 4 sq ft of floor space, about 1 linear ft of roost space and as close to 1 sq ft of PERMANENTLY open and predator proofed ventilation per bird as possible. One nest box per 4-5 birds will suffice with 2 boxes minimum if you only have 4-5 birds.

Their outdoor run area should be in a very well drained, DRY location with an area of full shade if possible. Having some or all of it protected by a pitched solid roof is ideal. The run should offer an additional 15 sq ft of space per bird.

There are a lot of people who will recommend 10 sq ft/bird as the minimum run size. But when you are looking at your flock of full grown chickens and lay out that amount of space for them you quickly realize it is not enough.

Having more space helps in so many ways.
It keeps the poop load per sq foot down to something the earth and some dry organic litter can manage.
It give the birds more personal space when they need it.
It provides space for enrichment like lots of different height roosting, pallets or boards or whatever leaned up against the run walls for hiding places as well as multiple feed and water locations.
Having more space also gives broody hens more room to maneuver within the flock to raise her chicks.
It also makes integration easier for non-broody raised chicks.

You need to have sturdy fencing. Chicken wire is not at all predator proof. You need 1/2" hardware cloth over 2x4 wire or chain link or another sturdy fence. Backing that up with well placed hot wires or poultry netting that is powered with a very punchy charger (10,000 volts/1.2 Joule output minimum) will be a very convincing deterrent indeed.

I use 1/2" hardware cloth to secure all ventilation and windows openings in my coop and cover the run walls with it. It is also extended out 18-24" across the ground and pinned down with heavy duty landscape staples to form a predator apron to keep out digging predators. My whole setup sits inside 1/3 acre enclosed with poultry netting with the above mentioned charger. In 8 years, not a single bird has been lost to a ground predator in this set up. I have seen fox, racoon, fishers and black bear in my yard and have heard coyote and bobcats. None mess with my chickens.

View attachment 4319804

Great information! Thank you!