Intheswamp said
"My reason for a run is to keep foxes, dogs, roaming critters from getting to the chickens while I'm away. Hawks and avian predators will be a wildcard and I will build covers in the run for the chickens to get under if need be. I may opt for the avian netting over the entire thing later on, but I doubt it. I've toyed with the idea of a smaller, more secure covered run (covered with 2x4 welded wire or better) that I could be used if we get a "problem hawk" in the area and would also thwart coons,etc. (but not snakes sad ), but it will come later after the larger run is constructed. The uncovered run will also keep the chickens from wandering off where they don't belong.
That's a few reasons to build an uncovered run. Uncovered runs have been used down here in the south for the last century or so...not sure of elsewhere. hmm ???"
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Here in the beautiful Oregon we have an abundance of hawks, eagles, owls, falcons--you name it and we have it! They will fly into a yard or run and scoop up a hen right in front of your eyes in downtown Portland!! I've talked to friends who have lost a beloved hen from a raptor in their small urban yards. We live in the suburbs with a yard over twice that of a city lot and every day hawks circle above.
So we have a 50 sq. foot completely roofed run and hen-house for our 5 chicks. We are building a door to on the secure run to allow our girls access to an additional 80 sq. ft run that is covered with netting so they can go back and forth between runs. This is so they can have lots of space yet be safe when we are home yet cannot be in the yard with them every minute. If we are not home they stay in the Forte Knox run/hen-house as we also have LOTS of raccoons.
"My reason for a run is to keep foxes, dogs, roaming critters from getting to the chickens while I'm away. Hawks and avian predators will be a wildcard and I will build covers in the run for the chickens to get under if need be. I may opt for the avian netting over the entire thing later on, but I doubt it. I've toyed with the idea of a smaller, more secure covered run (covered with 2x4 welded wire or better) that I could be used if we get a "problem hawk" in the area and would also thwart coons,etc. (but not snakes sad ), but it will come later after the larger run is constructed. The uncovered run will also keep the chickens from wandering off where they don't belong.
That's a few reasons to build an uncovered run. Uncovered runs have been used down here in the south for the last century or so...not sure of elsewhere. hmm ???"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here in the beautiful Oregon we have an abundance of hawks, eagles, owls, falcons--you name it and we have it! They will fly into a yard or run and scoop up a hen right in front of your eyes in downtown Portland!! I've talked to friends who have lost a beloved hen from a raptor in their small urban yards. We live in the suburbs with a yard over twice that of a city lot and every day hawks circle above.
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