Free-range or in a run?

[Ali1010]

You see, I only plan on getting two hens right now. We live on a 2 acre property, however we are in the guest house, so "our yard" consists of a nice area for the dog and for my rabbits to go outside sometimes. However, the fence is kind of wierd, and I have no doubt a chicken could accidentally fly over one part of the fence (only maybe a foot high?) and not know how to get back, and wind up roaming the property...now, there should be no problem in this, however, we have coyotes and a wolf dog in the area, not to mention my mom has already clearly stated that if I'm gone at a friends she DOES NOT want to be chasing escaped chickens around.

So, I'm wondering if I should just put up a better fence around the yard of if I should just scratch everything and build a run. However, I love to let my animals have as large a space as possible, so I would really like them to just have free range of the yard and then go into a coop (a rabbit hutch with the legs cut down) at night....thoughts?

 

[Eggie and Me]

We live in the city and don't have coyote issues, thank goodness. Based on that and your fence issue I would build a run. We allow our 7 gals to wonder our yard supervised and then they are back in their run. They seem really happy to return to their run with little if any issues. We have a routine and they love it. You could let your 2 out and supervise them and then back to the safety of their yard. You are right in doing your homework first. Keep reading. Remember your flock will only be as safe as you make them. Best of luck to you.

 

[darkmatter]

I would recommend a run, even the city has more predation then you would think. My sister-in-law raises a few pet ducks and have had problems with predation in the middle of a metropolis. Dogs, cats, rats, and not surprising to those that know them, masked bandits in the city (raccoons). Not to mention the occasional neighborhood kid that does what unsupervised kids do worldwide.

 

[willheveland]

How about keeping an eye in the paper for a dog kennel and put your hutch inside.While your home you can let them roam,when your not put them inside.You could leave the kennel door open til the go back in at dark then shut them in for the night. Will

 

[Quillgirl]

I live in the city and have coyote issues.

As well as hawk, fox, raccoon, opossum, dog... you get the idea. One of mine was out for less than 2 minutes and got snatched by a hawk. I only had 7, so losing one is a big deal for me. If you have lots, it might not be quite as large a loss, percentage-wise. With only 2, I would put them in a nice big run with a top of some sort to deflect raptors and climbers. That's what mine do and they have a happy existence.

 

[cmom]

I live in the country and have several acres. I still have my birds fenced in. A neighborhood mutt killed one of my birds and others around that have had chickens, have lost their entire flocks to predators. I'd rather have them fenced in. I even put up an electric fence.

 

[Ali1010]

thank you! Now, for the run, do you think I'd be able to build one out of PVC pipes and chicken wire, or should I use wood and chicken wire? PVC would be easier though, and they'd be in their hutch at night so nothing could get them.

Will-I can't get a dog run because even used ones are insanely expensive. =[ Well, to me at least because Im still a student. They range from 300-500 dollars and I just don't have that (unless in an emergency, I have a large vet fund for all my animals for just in cases. =])

 

[PortageGirl]

Wow, I for one am very positively impressed that you have a vet fund set aside like that! You sound like a smart cookie!

Try looking up freecycle.org in your area to see what you can find in the way of supplies there no matter what you decide to go with. Also, look at craigslist too, though that'll cost some money.

Chicken wire will keep the hens IN but won't protect them from predators getting at them. Almost any predator mentioned can get into chicken wire if it wants to badly enough. I’d say though that it would prevent them from getting out into the larger area of the grounds which sounds like your main goal at least for now. If you lock them up securely at night, chicken wire would probably be fine. Just know it won’t keep a determined beastie OUT... that would take much sturdier wire, some of which would need to be buried underground to stop diggers.

edit/ PVC sounds more expensive to me, but if you have access to it, go for it!