First ever coop run complete!

[Henriettamom919]

So this is for three laying girls! Initially we weren't going to do a run because they free range during the day but we've had feral cats sniffing around our birds and I'm sick of getting up at O'dark thirty to let them out so we added our run which we've just this moment finished (still need to cover the top)

We also made the addition of cupboard magnet catches for the storm doors!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Beautiful addition, and how smart about the magnets!

Ugh. To free range or not, risk broken heart or not! Vermont Dept of Fish and Wildlife issued a press
release about protecting chickens from predators. Apparently lots of (us) new chicken people are calling to complain.

We are finishing up our coop and run this weekend, finally. DH is trying to make it Fort Knox. He won’t admit it but he loves those girls.

Here’s the press release.
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/newsr...offers-protection-against-chicken-predation-0

 

[Henriettamom919]

We're very fortunate- our acre is fully fenced and we're close enough to the city that our only real daytime threat is birds of prey.

I like having the option to allow them time out roaming while also knowing there's a secure place for them to scratch and rest without as much worry.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

You are lucky regarding predators! The Fish & Wildlife article lists so many here, without going into hawks, owls, or eagles.

We are working hard on the coop and run. I plan to get a mobile electric netting/fence so mine can leave the run. And maybe provide extra protection for the coop and run.

 

[Henriettamom919]

Beautiful addition, and how smart about the magnets!

Ugh. To free range or not, risk broken heart or not! Vermont Dept of Fish and Wildlife issued a press
release about protecting chickens from predators. Apparently lots of (us) new chicken people are calling to complain.

We are finishing up our coop and run this weekend, finally. DH is trying to make it Fort Knox. He won’t admit it but he loves those girls.

Here’s the press release.
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/newsr...offers-protection-against-chicken-predation-0

Great article!

 

[jthornton]

So this is for three laying girls! Initially we weren't going to do a run because they free range during the day but we've had feral cats sniffing around our birds and I'm sick of getting up at O'dark thirty to let them out so we added our run which we've just this moment finished (still need to cover the top)

Chicken wire only keeps chickens in, it will not keep a raccoon out. Even living near the city won't keep night time predators out of your coop if left open.

I have a fence charger and 3 hot wires around my chicken yard and it gets tested often at night and I live near a city...

JT