Enough Space for 5 hens?

[PeepsAreForMe]

Thankyou soo muchh!! This helped me a lot! What would I use rather than chicken wire? I'm sorry I'm a pretty new chicken owner but I'm finding my way! Thankyou again and I'm sure your chicken will be in heaven when they move in their new home!! Good luck with the rest of the building!

I am sure everyone was where you are now - I only got my first chickens this past April - you learn really quick once you get them!! Your run looks nice and spacious, but a dog could easily plow through that chicken wire if it really wants your birds. Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens out of places you don't want them (they LOVE digging out mulch in my flowerbeds!!). I personally would not leave them outside in your run if I were not home. You could easily attach an extended run like my DH did, it doesn't have to be that elaborate, just sturdy and safe. I hope this is helpful!!!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

wow what an impressive job the DH is doing! I do love the little coop, but I think it is limited to a post-brooder, for when the babies start to go outside. Mine is way too small for m 6 girls right now, and look forward to the new coop

Six - wow! Yea, the ads are so misleading. Looks like yours has screen in the cute window - did that come that way or did you put it in? Is this in your yard? I have to laugh, all I wanted was free eggs! We will have to sell ours for $25 a dozen to recoup our money! LOL But I am blessed with a DH that is very crafty and loves doing it. I can't wait to post pictures when our new one is done! Not sure when that will be . . . a few weeks I would say.

 

[modchicken]

I am sure everyone was where you are now - I only got my first chickens this past April - you learn really quick once you get them!! Your run looks nice and spacious, but a dog could easily plow through that chicken wire if it really wants your birds. Chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens out of places you don't want them (they LOVE digging out mulch in my flowerbeds!!). I personally would not leave them outside in your run if I were not home. You could easily attach an extended run like my DH did, it doesn't have to be that elaborate, just sturdy and safe. I hope this is helpful!!!

Ya I think I'm going to support my run with some polls and sturdy it up, maybe double it, well I really don't know... There is bird netting over the top which I don't think does too much good... and yes I plan on building an extended run like yours! And sorry but what material did you use that's safe and sturdy for the windows and walls etc. of the extended run? I asked if I should use chicken wire so what is a better material?

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Hardware cloth is what you should use to cover any windows and extend run walls. Get the one with 1/2 inch openings. They make it with bigger openings, but then raccoons can get their little hands through and pull at whatever they can reach. For even more info, go to the Predators and Pests forum - you will get a LOT of useful info there on keeping them safe.

 

[modchicken]

Thank you! You have been a great help! Once I build an extended run will my run around the whole thing still be be enough space?

 

[modchicken]

And I'll be right back I need to take some pictures of my very suspicious (EE/maybe silkie) "pullet"!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

It looks like it will be plenty of space for them. Oohh I love pictures! I am having trouble posting them again, so I hope you can get them up here.

 

[modchicken]

Same so fun to see peoples pics! And I just put them up on the EE sexing thread that I post on!

 

[modchicken]

heres the link...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/463817/easter-egger-sexing-tips-and-tricks-pictures-included/1370

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Omg she - or he - is adorable!!!! Sorry but I laughed when I saw the extra toe - maybe they are good luck?? I have never seen anything like that.