First time chicken coop

[LorenaAZ]

yes, we would completely close the coop at night for safety reasons. And the chicks do have shady areas under trees and also under an elevated shed.


what do you mean by roosts? items for them to perch on?

 

[arlee453]

While birds of prey are a real threat, if your chickens are not the kind with head feathers that obstruct the view (like polish, silkies etc) AND your chickens have good hiding places in their area like low bushes etc, then they have a pretty good chance of eluding predation once they are full grown. A rooster for protection wouldn't hurt either....

Personally, if you have a 6' tall VERY secure privacy fence - ie dog PROOF - and you have some shady and hiding places for your girls....AND you lock them up at night - they are so very vulnerable at night when they can't see what is coming to get them and can't escape in a confining coop in the dark - then I'd be OK with doing what you are suggesting.

 

[pkeeler]

what do you mean by roosts? items for them to perch on?

Exactly. 8-10" of roost area per bird is the rule of thumb.​

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Where do you live...do you have cold winters? If you do then I would for sure go with 4 sq foot per bird in the hen house in case you have to keep them cooped up for the winter. Just a thought

Also welcome to the chicken world

 

[LorenaAZ]

thanks for the welcome

We live in Flagstaff, AZ. At 7000 feet above sea level we get some cold weather in the winter.


Thanks so much for all the input. We're taking all into consideration.

 

[vron]

A hawk can lift a deer

Hate to be technical here, but that's a golden eagle...pretty sure that's no adult white tail deer either.

But yeah, hawks could eat chickens.​