Hi Molinda! Welcome! I am in Sarasota too! East of 75! I started with chickens about a year ago just wanting 5 and a mixed basket of eggs. I now have 24 Layers and 3 roosters! They call that chicken math here, although it applies to many other animals as well! This site is awesome! So many great, knowledgeable people here. All willing to help us newbies!
I have a critter proof coop where they all go in at night and I have a group of "outsiders" that free range all day (and I have an egg hunt when they go in), and the "insiders" that go into the chicken run most of the day. They free range starting around 3pm and then they put themselves to bed. The chicken run is my fenced in garden that I put pvc pipe and shade cloth on to create a run. It is not entirely predator proof, but during the day it is pretty safe! I have electric poultry netting around it that I can turn on when I am going to be out. I feel pretty confident that would keep a fox, bobcat, coyote, or other 4 legged critter out!
I have a critter proof coop where they all go in at night and I have a group of "outsiders" that free range all day (and I have an egg hunt when they go in), and the "insiders" that go into the chicken run most of the day. They free range starting around 3pm and then they put themselves to bed. The chicken run is my fenced in garden that I put pvc pipe and shade cloth on to create a run. It is not entirely predator proof, but during the day it is pretty safe! I have electric poultry netting around it that I can turn on when I am going to be out. I feel pretty confident that would keep a fox, bobcat, coyote, or other 4 legged critter out!
Good luck!
:yiipchick
