How high do I need to make the yard area

[mchamberlain]

I have just built my first coop, and enclosed a large area they can be in during the day. Buried the chicken wire so it's sturdy! I have 7 babies that will go out in about 3-4 weeks. How high do I need the fencing to be, do they normally just stay in or will they actually fly out?
Also- what is the best things-method to use for the nesting boxes that are built into the coop. Hay, Pine? How often do I need to clean and or totally strip out the bedding material?
Thank you for the help!

 

[gillisjordan]

I use milk crates on their side for laying boxes with a little bit of hay in them and they are a good size. As far as cleaning you'll be able to tell. Wood shavings are good. Pine will deodorize the coop, also hay works fine you'll notice it gets damp after a while depending on weather conditions just make sure they're staying dry. The hens will create moisture in the coop and the hay will become damp