Greetings from a new member :-)

Hello all! I have been reading many articles on this forum for months (great advice, thank you everyone!) and finally created an account today I am new to chicken raising (5 months), and have looked through this forum for advice on building a larger coop, secure fencing for their run, the best feed and treats, even advice when we lost one to a raccoon (figured that one out too from the help here)
We still have 5 Lavender Ameraucauna Hens (not laying yet), one lavy roo (they are about 3 months old), and an older Easter Egger Roo, that came from our first set of chicks (5 months).
We recently finished our 12x8 coop (old pallets and scrap wood) and everyone has moved in happily. Since moving day, I have noticed they rarely go out into the run, at first I thought they just loved all our hard work so much ;-), but came on here today to see why they really aren't coming out. Seems like with the change they feel safer in there, and after the raccoon (was about 4 weeks ago now), I don't blame them for taking their time. So I won't worry yet, lol.
Well just wanted to say hello, and again, a major thank you to everyone's great posts on here on how to properly raise, house, and protect the chickens. I have grown very attached to them and don't want to see another pile of feathers ever again, although I know I must keep my guard up. I look forward to now being able to talk and ask chicken questions, rather then sitting on the side lines searching my odd questions ;-)

 

Thank you Drumstick. Yes I did, unfortunately after the fact We never had any issues for months until that night... common story eh! The chickens were in 2 of those Doc Bob TSC kennel runs (attached to make one big run) with a pre-fab coop in the middle, but b/c I never had problems, I didn't lock them in the pre-fab. One night, it cost me a young hen, and another's wing (she survived and is actually doing amazing considering).
The following day, I bought about $300 of hardware cloth and cracked the whip on finishing the new coop!
Knock on wood, we haven't had any signs or attacks since, but I know the flock is traumatized. The farm dog (a german shepherd) now is out in the run at night (she's fine with the chickens, but prefers to be in the pasture or barn guarding "her" horses lol), motion lights, auto-door on new coop, and bedroom window open ;-)
I did see to attach the cloth with washers, and even the penny tip (awesome! so much cheaper!), and secure them in between wood. Great advice, I would have used staples on the building and zip ties on the run! Glad for the advice on here, never would have thought of it. And, I did tell my local TSC, they really should take responsibility and explain chicken wire doesn't protect all those chicks they sell, explain the strength and lack of easy access with the cloth.... and since it's 3x's the price, who upstairs would argue!