Do I really need a chicken run?

[Kat22]

I have never raised chickens but been around friends who have. I have a big privacy fence thats bout 6 feet high. Do I really need a chicken run and coop or can I just have a nice coop and let them run around the green grass yard? I live in Florida so it stays pretty warm most of the time. Also im not sure where to get eggs or chickens. Any tips u have I would appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

The issue with no run is birds of prey may take a liking to your chickens. If they will be monitored or you don't have hawks/eagles etc. I would say let them be free

 

[cjeanean]

The run is to keep predators out and to keep the chickens in a smaller area, like in our case we don't have a ton of room for them to range so I have to either fence the whole yard or keep them in a run. If you're not worried about predators then I don't see why you should have a problem, but be sure to keep their food and water inside/very close to the coop. They need to learn that the coop is home so they don't try to take off on you or end up sleeping in trees (not a fun scenario in the middle of the night LOL). Keep them in the coop for several days, feeding and watering them inside so they associate food and water with where they're supposed to sleep. The saying about a chicken always coming home to roost (or something like that?) is true: if it's home, that's where they'll go at night.

Oh, and having a huge area for them to roam in also makes egg hunting fun LOL!!!

 

[Kansaseq]

I would really suggest making them a secure run. You can always let them roam in your yard when you are home, but there will be times when you can't be there to monitor them. You may not see predators ,but I bet you've got some lurking around, and sooner or later, they may find your flock. It can be heartbreaking to raise birds and find them gone or worse. I would play it safe; make them a safe, secure run, and let them out to play often if you like. Good luck.

 

[fowltemptress]

The perks of having a run is the ability to go on trips or have to stay away unexpectedly and know that your chickens are not going to be left totally cooped up. That said, my runs are extremely small . . . enough that the chickens can get out of their coop and scratch around in the dirt, but there's not much walking around space. I knew I didn't need big runs because my property is fenced in and I'm almost always home to let the chickens out from morning til night. If I were you and knew I'd be around most of the time, I'd just build a coop with a small run off to the side. Of course, it's often better to build bigger rather than build small and regret not building it bigger earlier, and if you are away from home much, a decent sized run is best.

Feed stores will usually carry chicks in Spring, if not year round, so you could start by finding one and inquiring there. Or you could post a Craigslist ad or put the word out asking for people willing to offer fertile hatching eggs or chicks. You can get a lot of nice barnyard mixes for free that way. Then there's always ordering through the mail from hatcheries. My favorite hatchery is http://www.idealpoultry.com/. Good luck!

 

[patandchickens]

Me too. It is awfully nice if you can build at least a small run as part of your coop, the reason being that there are actually all sorts of things that can come up that'd make you want to shut the chickens up for a little while - want to observe sick chicken, want to get new chickens used to 'home' before turning them loose, temporary serious predator problem in neighborhood, company coming over, need to fertilize grass or do something else outside that requires chickens not be all over it for the rest of the day, storm damage to dogproof yard fence, want to leave early to be gone late into the night, etc. If you have already constructed a small run, no sweat, you put the chickens in and they'll still be pretty happy

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[SandyK]

I was standing in the coop run a week or so talking to the girls when all of a sudden they started running. A medium size hawk came right down over top of us. Luckily I have their 25'x50' run covered with heavy duty nylon netting. He turned around mid air and took off. It would have been heartbreaking to lose one of my babies.

Another time, the dog alerted me that something was in the woods, looked over the the chicken run and a fox was peering through the fence. Too scary.

 

[wildorchid053]

6' isn't very high.. hawks and other flying birds can get in, and the chickens can fly over into others yards. if you have neighbors with dogs they will be killed.. if you have small birds cats can get them..

 

[Bantimna]

I believe you should have a run.

The Advantages are:

No looking for eggs layed all kinds of places
Not haveing your broody go missing and just showing up with chicks
If you don't have a fence, no other roo's comming and mating with your hens
You could quickly find out who is deased and not
Easier managment

The Disadvantages are:
The birds will find most of their own food
If you like surprises of lot's of chicks*


*Note: You will need bigger housing for more flock members

 

[Tecalli]

Katt22, I just started with chicken about 6 months ago and would strongly recommend a run, even with a fenced yard. You'd be surprised at the ability of a racoon or other critter to get in, and a bird of prey will have no problem. The run will give you flexibility-- you can close them up for security when you are out of the house and let them roam when you are home.

As for where to get your birds.. Look under the Social forum section on BYC and look for a chickenstock or other event in your area. I got my first pullets last July from attending a chickenstock that was about a 2 hour drive from me. It was also a nice opportunity to meet other chicken folks and I got a lot of really good advice. If you want day old chicks you can try some of the places that advertise on BYC (e.g., My Pet Chicken, Ideal Poultry, Natures Hatchery) and mail order the chicks. You can also ask at your local farm store to see if they will be getting chicks. My local pet supplies store is taking orders for chicks in late March for an early May delivery. You can also check out Craigslist under the farm and garden section. Chickens are often advertised there. Good luck!