Moving to Pine, Colorado

[kenelsner]

Hey all, we're under contract for a 4 acre plot of land/house in Pine, Colorado at about 7200 ft. We currently live in south Denver with our 5 girls (chickens!). The property has a structure that I could retrofit part of for a coop, but I have concerns. We know we are moving to predator country. Is it worth it to bring the girls with us, or should we give them away to a loving home? We would miss them a ton. Suggestions on what to do if we were to bring them with us? Electric fence? Motion lights?

The picture is of the structure that we could use.

thanks
Ken

 

[N F C]

I don't know how far it is from Denver to Pine but if you're fond of the flock you have and can safely transport them, taking them with you makes sense.

That's a pretty cool building...can you make it predator proof? Electric fencing is always helpful for keeping a flock safe.

 

[aart]

Electric fence or hot wires for sure, probably bears up there.
Probably need to secure any openings in building with 1/2" hardware cloth.
Might need an anti-dig apron around building to deter digging predators.
Might want a secure run too.
Is building ventilated adequately for chickens?
Guess it depends on how much work it needs and how much 'extra' work you want to do along with moving house.

 

[Longmont Leghorn]

I have a lot of coyotes and big birds near Mead. Agree with the above recommendations. I use hardware cloth buried around perimeter and up a few feet on outside the run, and the solar Nite Guard available from Northern Tools, item no 1681517. Have used them since the spring. Coyotes are all over the place but won’t get near the chicken run or coop. I credit these lights. Wish I had them before they got my cat.