Does size matter?

[roperbabe23tx]

Ok, we plan on creating a 6x3 coop, we have 6, 4week olds....4 standards and 2 bantys...will this size be okay? It wont be a walk in coop but DH is going to create doors that we can access with the kids..for eggs and cleaning and such. We will have a large run that will have a gate to allow the chickens to free range around the yard during most days. Also what kind of fencing is best...I've looked at other local chicken runs and none seem to be covered to keep out preditors. I thought it odd because we virtually have every kind of chicken monster in our area, But one farmer told me that he keeps a live trap near his coop/run area.( We get really large raccoons, that must be one heck of a live trap..lol) Another told me that he runs electric fencing around the bottom of his run as a deterrant. (Which I have plans on doing as well...our neighbor has like 30 stray cats and wont go near anything that resembles white wire, they use simple rope to keep them out of areas cause they think it's electric fencing so I guess I may have to get some white rope too). I haven't seen any kind of run area made with chicken wire at the farms near us....some have chicken wire near the bottom of their run area to keep young birds in but that's really about it. The coop/run area has water, electricity right there so It seemd the best place to construct...What is the best height of fencing for a run area if it is not covered?? Our land is mainly open area...really hot during the summer months...any suggestions on shade options...

 

[Mtn Cur]

Not that I an expert on chickens, but with the research that I have from this site. I would say your coop is just big enough for what you have now. A 3x6 coop is 18 sq ft and 3 sq ft for each chicken (6- chickens) is 18 sq ft. So if you plan on more, and I say that because that is the usually the cause you may want a little bigger coop. I personally like the hoop coop idea. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3227009 Its a good covered run (to protect your flock from hawks) and will not blow down very easy. And imo probably the strongest you can build.