My Three Chicks
Crowing
How large is their free area outside the coop/run?
My girls have a large coop and run but have free reign of the backyard (1/3 acre) as soon as I open their run up usually around 9am. Then they are out until bedtime. They ALWAYS go into the coop during the day when they need to lay. They lay at different times including as late as 4pm. They've never laid outside their nestbox in the coop.
As far as something getting in to get their food...how big is the door? I have 12x12" door and haven't had anything else try to get in during the day. In fact I set out a 2nd feeder and waterer in the yard during the day so they don't have to go back to the run to fill up. Nothing has tried to eat that either and I have a ton of squirrels because we have tons of trees.
I'd say give it a try and if there's a problem trouble shoot from there!
I know not everyone is able to give their birds a chance to free range, but if you can you should. Makes for a healthier happier flock in my humble opinion.
My girls have a large coop and run but have free reign of the backyard (1/3 acre) as soon as I open their run up usually around 9am. Then they are out until bedtime. They ALWAYS go into the coop during the day when they need to lay. They lay at different times including as late as 4pm. They've never laid outside their nestbox in the coop.
As far as something getting in to get their food...how big is the door? I have 12x12" door and haven't had anything else try to get in during the day. In fact I set out a 2nd feeder and waterer in the yard during the day so they don't have to go back to the run to fill up. Nothing has tried to eat that either and I have a ton of squirrels because we have tons of trees.
I'd say give it a try and if there's a problem trouble shoot from there!
I know not everyone is able to give their birds a chance to free range, but if you can you should. Makes for a healthier happier flock in my humble opinion.
