make a seperate covered run??

[kimmerjo]

I was wondering... I don't have chickens yet .my run is going to be uncovered @ 20ftx40ft . I'm home most of the time but there are a few days when I have Dr,shopping etc.. should I just keep the chickens locked in the coop when gone or have a seperate smaller enclosed run? I live in the woods so I'm worried about not being around to stop predators.

 

[sourland]

A separate, fortified smaller pen would be a great idea. You could indeed use it if going to town or on a vacation. It would also allow the chickens added space if a predator started attacking on a routine basis. It would provide a safe place until the predator could be removed.

 

[JanetS]

This is what we did. Part of the run has a solid roof and the other half has just hardware cloth. We put a small door to separate the two. On rainy days they stay in the solid roof side, on sunny days we open the door so they can go into the other side. Since they can't free range because of bobcats and hawks this works great for us. You could try something like this.

 

[kimmerjo]

Looks great I think I will

 

[Nambroth]

It depends on how much you value your birds. If you don't mind losses, you can range them... but I have mine as pets as well as livestock and want to avoid losses if at all possible, so I keep them in the run when I am not supervising. Predator attacks can be quick! Especially when it is a loose dog.

 

[aart]

Being home will not necessarily deter predators...I've read countless stories of predation happening when people are standing very close by.... just saying, don't count on your being around to keep predators away.

 

[kimmerjo]

Oh I know that's how I got my coop . My sister in-law had her little hobbie farm about 1/2 mile away from me @ 3 years ago she was in the yard middle of the day with her 3 little children and a pack of coyotes came out of now where and took out her entire flock of 15 chickens and 4 rabbits. I'm praying that I don't have that happen . So we been coyote hunting a lot these past years. their den(s) are on my property. My old coon dog past this year so their making a come back also.