One reason I got chickens was that they need less frequent attention than a dog, which my family wanted.
I got a used chicken coop, basically a 3 foot cube, and elevated it 3 feet off the ground. I built the run out from the top and sides of the coop. Underneath the coop, the supporting legs are covered by plywood on three sides. The four hens have almost 60 square feet outdoors to roam around. At first, I covered the run with chicken wire, then found out it's not strong enough for predators. So I added 2" x 4" welded wire on top of the chicken wire, and attached chicken wire to the bottom and extended it out about 8" from the bottom edges, covering it up with dirt. I think I've done pretty well protecting the run from most predators, unless a bear wants to tear apart the coop.
In the evenings, the girls like to roost on the studs underneath the coop, in the area protected on three sides by plywood. Each night I have to pick them up individually to get them inside the coop and lock the door. They don't particularly like that, even though they have food & water inside, and there are three shelves at different levels to roost on. The bottom is fairly deeply covered in pine shavings.
Does everyone make their chickens come inside from the run each night? Or could I let them stay under the coop, since it seems that's what they want? I didn't read this forum enough before getting the chickens, because I originally thought if I went away for a weekend I could leave them outside. Or should I lock them up if it's just a weekend? For longer vacations, I can get a pet-sitter.
TIA
I got a used chicken coop, basically a 3 foot cube, and elevated it 3 feet off the ground. I built the run out from the top and sides of the coop. Underneath the coop, the supporting legs are covered by plywood on three sides. The four hens have almost 60 square feet outdoors to roam around. At first, I covered the run with chicken wire, then found out it's not strong enough for predators. So I added 2" x 4" welded wire on top of the chicken wire, and attached chicken wire to the bottom and extended it out about 8" from the bottom edges, covering it up with dirt. I think I've done pretty well protecting the run from most predators, unless a bear wants to tear apart the coop.
In the evenings, the girls like to roost on the studs underneath the coop, in the area protected on three sides by plywood. Each night I have to pick them up individually to get them inside the coop and lock the door. They don't particularly like that, even though they have food & water inside, and there are three shelves at different levels to roost on. The bottom is fairly deeply covered in pine shavings.
Does everyone make their chickens come inside from the run each night? Or could I let them stay under the coop, since it seems that's what they want? I didn't read this forum enough before getting the chickens, because I originally thought if I went away for a weekend I could leave them outside. Or should I lock them up if it's just a weekend? For longer vacations, I can get a pet-sitter.
TIA