Idk what I'm doing.

[A_Fowl_Guy]

We are back road, dead end street. Live on over 0.5 almost 1 acre. Only 2 neighbors. No dogs that we know of other than our own. Biggest problem in our area would be possum, raccoons, and coyote.

The raccoons are going to be a major issue for any poultry keeper. I suggest hardwire cloth instead of chicken wire when you get building your coop. And I say build because those prefab coops are too small for the amount of birds they advertise. A rule of thumb on that is 4sqFt per chicken in the coop and 10sqft per chicken in the run. Do you plan to free range or confine to a run?

 

[Hangs With Chicks]

I don’t think she said she lives on a farm!!!! Just because you live in a rural area doesn’t mean every Joe has a farm.

I think if we can handle a Benjamin and an Arlen we can handle a couple of chickens.

 

[BullChick]

Welcome to BYC!
Congratulations, it’s a girl!

 

[Hangs With Chicks]

I started off on a Rubbermaid, too. With 6 impulse buy chicks.

I learned. So can the OP. I'm not saying the OP can't learn. I'm asking questions and covering bases that should also be thought about.

Good night from WI

The raccoons are going to be a major issue for any poultry keeper. I suggest hardwire cloth instead of chicken wire when you get building your coop. And I say build because those prefab coops are too small for the amount of birds they advertise. A rule of thumb on that is 4sqFt per chicken in the coop and 10sqft per chicken in the run. Do you plan to free range or confine to a run?

definately a run. I forgot to mention hawks. We are mostly tree covered and I see them everywhere. I was thinking of an L - shaped coop with the run to go along the side and back of our property. So atleast 24sqft in the coop and 60 sqft in the run. That's doable.

 

[Cyprus]

Speaking from experience, Coyotes suck.
In my experience Coyotes and Foxes are the worst. They don't care if you have dogs, if you shock them, if you chuck things at them or shoot at them. They will still try to kill your birds.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

definately a run. I forgot to mention hawks. We are mostly tree covered and I see them everywhere. I was thinking of an L - shaped coop with the run to go along the side and back of our property. So atleast 24sqft in the coop and 60 sqft in the run. That's doable.

Definitely! Hawks shouldn’t be a problem if they are confined to a run since they usually need a large area for takeoff and landings. If you’re in doubt about that you can always get poultry netting and cover the top.

 

[Hangs With Chicks]

Speaking from experience, Coyotes suck.
In my experience Coyotes and Foxes are the worst. They don't care if you have dogs, if you shock them, if you chuck things at them or shoot at them. They will still try to kill your birds.

What's the best repellent for them? Nothing I'm assuming.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

What's the best repellent for them? Nothing I'm assuming.

A good fence.

 

[Cyprus]

One thing to mention is that Raccoons can open anything a small child can. So if a 5yr old can get into your coop so can a Raccoon.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

have you named your pretty pullets yet