I was so naive with my first pair that I didnt even cover the run.. and the roost was the same height as the nest box... and they had a dog bowl as a waterer... and only ate what I threw them in the morning (which the pigeons got half of).
Needless to say, I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. But the interesting part was they NEVER got eaten. They died on something else (no idea what, they got really sluggish, then died).
So basically, I'm VERY complacent about them. Which will probably bite me in the butt one day. My current birds are locked in at night, and spend most of the day free ranging in my backyard.
Just hope none of the neighbours get a cat. then again, my dog HATES cats, and chases them out of the yard, but she's scared of the chickens... go figure
Needless to say, I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. But the interesting part was they NEVER got eaten. They died on something else (no idea what, they got really sluggish, then died).
So basically, I'm VERY complacent about them. Which will probably bite me in the butt one day. My current birds are locked in at night, and spend most of the day free ranging in my backyard.
Just hope none of the neighbours get a cat. then again, my dog HATES cats, and chases them out of the yard, but she's scared of the chickens... go figure