Is Alexis still a hen?

[Ketta_czarina]

@Evelyn Walker i am anxiously awaiting eggs from her and her sister!

 

[Ketta_czarina]

@ChemicalchiCkns @Cryss @chrissynemetz

We live in the suburbs, they don’t have many predators, cats? Hawks? Opossums? MAAAAYYBE a raccoon or coyote?

The coop has fence and chicken wire, this is part of the run, I’ve wire-meshed some parts (to keep them out of my garden) some parts are chicken wire, some parts are just fence.

 

[Folly's place]

You have lots of predators, and sooner or later they will all show up! Yes, including raccoons, dogs, foxes, and coyotes.
Probably not bears or cougars!
Build to prevent weasels and rats (you have those too!) from getting in, and that takes having no openings anywhere larger than 1/2" diameter. Then, picture two 100 pound dogs tearing into it, and build accordingly.
Having a Ft. Knox coop for night time is essential, and then have your run as safe as possible, although 'Ft. Knox' there is even better.
Mary

 

[Ketta_czarina]

I don’t know.... I think the chickens might be the meanest predators in the yard. They’ve already murdered and nearly beheaded two doves. I also had to rescue a baby opossum, they had it surrounded and beat the poor thing senseless. Mob mentality!

 

[slordaz]

Pullet, and pretty girl, just don't tell her that, she might like that better then your stuck calling her that lol. I have a rooster that only responds to pretty boy, good thing he's personable rooster

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

The cycens will attack little things, but an animal of Prey, meant to eat meat, will destroy them easily.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Have to agree set up for dinner with chicken wire only safety comes from Hardware cloth

 

[Cryss]

@ChemicalchiCkns @Cryss @chrissynemetz

We live in the suburbs, they don’t have many predators, cats? Hawks? Opossums? MAAAAYYBE a raccoon or coyote?

The coop has fence and chicken wire, this is part of the run, I’ve wire-meshed some parts (to keep them out of my garden) some parts are chicken wire, some parts are just fence.

So what you are saying is that vbbb you have serious predators! You mention fence. Do you mean wood slats? Chain link? Raccoons can reach through any hole bigger than 1/2 inch, grab your chicken, rip its head off and eat it. They scare the flock into a corner. Then the chicken closest to the fence and blocked from running away by all the other chickens is easily grabbed. That chicken wire is worthless against raccoons. They rip right through it as will your neighbors dog. Hawk? You can be standing next to your chicken and they will swoop and steal.cats paws a bigger than raccoon hands. But they will tear that wire. Snakes and mice will get into a 1 inch opening. Just because you live in the suburbs don't make the mistake of thinking these critters aren't around. They don't want to be seen. You have them, I promise.

 

[Ketta_czarina]

@Cryss that is terrifying.

The coop and main run are chain fence wrapped in chicken wire. The main run is 6’x20’, cemented around the bottom, one side is along a brick wall, the other three sides are wire mesh at the bottom, chicken wire at the top. There are is about 60 feet of 2’x2’ chicken-wire-wrapped wire and wood tunnels that connect the two spaces around the garden. I didn’t think of snakes and mice.

 

[Cryss]

@Cryss that is terrifying.

The coop and main run are chain fence wrapped in chicken wire. The main run is 6’x20’, cemented around the bottom, one side is along a brick wall, the other three sides are wire mesh at the bottom, chicken wire at the top. There are is about 60 feet of 2’x2’ chicken-wire-wrapped wire and wood tunnels that connect the two spaces around the garden. I didn’t think of snakes and mice.

It is terrifying and heartbreaking. I have chainlink. Raccoons can reach through it. The chicken wire is worthless, easily ripped. My chain link is wrapped in 1/2 inch hardware cloth with a 2ft wide apron around the perimeter to prevent diggers from entering. I have 1/2 inch hardware cloth covering the top to prevent hawks, owls etc. from flying in and to keep climbing raccoons, weasels, snakes, mice from climbing over the top. 2 inch wire is not going to help. Hardware cloth is a bit pricey but it is your best and most important investment in your chickens.