The coop is very secure (other than bears, but I can't do much if they decide to rip the lock off the door) but they like to be out in the pen. We are now planning on getting netting. We've not had an issue with hawks until now so we didn't even think to put up netting, unfortunately
Ah shoot, good to know. We're planning on getting netting. Thankfully I don't have any chicks currently, so I can befriend crows
I ripped 2 x 4's to support the top of a 8 x 16 ft run covered with 1/2" hardware cloth. Took weeks to attach it all with staples and go back over it with 3/4" poultry staples.I put 4 x 4 posts inside to help support the roof and keep a heavy duty white tarp on it year round.
The predators you have visiting your coop will dramatically increase as time goes by(word gets around in predator world) They'll become more persistent as food becomes scarce in the winter and spring (reproduction)You could make a hoop coop run if you have any wire fencing laying around or stock panels.There are several great posts on how to build one in our coop and run section.Here is one example found online.Instead of using 2 x 4's or 2 x 6's on the sides you can attach them to metal fence posts. https://survivaljack.com/2021/02/draft-versatile-cattle-panel-hoop-houses/
Yeah crows trust us as far as they can throw us.
I have a crow that lands on the lowest branch of a tree .. I'm sure it's scoping for lizards or mice, but my dog views it as a threat and sits under the branch until it flies away - it's the only bird she views in this way. Will they take eggs? I don't have chicks but my fizzle bantam is pretty small. Would she be a target for a crow?
Luckily my run and coop are within a chain link fence that's right outside our backdoor, so I didn't have to add too much considering the coop is impenetrable and my run is covered with netting and chicken wire. I'd use hardware cloth but I feel it is unnecessary seeing how daytime predators are not a problem with this setup and nocturnal predators can't get into the coop.
I had 2 pullets missing when I counted them this spring (immediately after my rooster sounded alerts) Never found either one and have no explanation for all the crows in my yard .Crows aren't really our friends friend. They are enemies of our enemy.Just remember that
You should feel the same way about the crow. Crows don't like us lol
Ty! Mine are in my backyard close to the house too. Wish I'd had a chain link dog kennel instead I would have preferred to use one of those.I had nothing but pallets so I covered them with hw cloth to protect the chickens.Pallets aren't strong by themselves.
