My chickens are defective

[lazy gardener]

I think the bottom line of what Bruce is saying is that electrifying your coop and run WILL make it secure against large predators.

Yes, we all do face issues from predation. that is a fact. But, if in bear country, I'd be electrifying my coop/run.

And, there is a risk assessment in comparison to available budget that needs to be taken into account with every flock manager. No way can I afford to enclose my run in HDW cloth and welded wire. Chicken wire it is, with a buried skirt and bird netting over the top. But, the coop is secure: hdw cloth over all openings, and an auto pop door. Always a risk of a rat chewing a hole in the coop. Then... I'll have a security risk. I saw my first rat in a hay bale garden today. So... time to step up my game. If I've seen one rat, I know there are a lot more.

 

[Scooterbing]

If it make you feel better, mine are defective too, 6+ months and NO EGGS!

Mine too..black copper merans...happy to stay in the coop all day

 

[Scooterbing]

My 3 girls - 6 month old BCM's stay in their coop all day...come out in their covered secured large run only to eat and drink or if I go in the run with treats...eat and right back in the coop. Hoping for eggs real soon

 

[tigger19687]

Ever since I let mine out to free range in the front yard that is all they want and they Let Me Know IT !

 

[bruceha2000]

Mine too. If they are behind the gate between the barns they get their little metal convict cups and rake them back and forth across the bars.