My dad says there is no use they will be dead in a couple weeks.

[rubyrogue]

So my coop is being delivered tonight. I was asking my dad where the best location wuld be and he said it didn't matter all my hens would be dead within a couple weeks. We have the normal predators(coyotes, skunks, neighbor dogs, ect) and he said the coyotes will get all my birds. I am putting the coop up on blocks and my run has a foot of buried wire around it. What else can I do to make sure my girls survive?

 

[ChickenToes]

How high is the fencing? It sounds to me like you have a good setup, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The only other thing I can think of is to cover the run with something so birds can't swoop in. I live in the woods, with all the regular predators, plus a bear problem, and the only bird I ever lost was to an owl.

 

[saddina]

Pops always so cheerful?

A picture is worth a thousand posts.

 

[rubyrogue]

Im still finishing it up but will post pictures as soon as i have it finished. I just posted in coops & runs about how to cover my run and with what. The "walls" are 4 foot high and i was going to put netting over the top making a "tent" with posts in the middle of the run. but now i am thinking of using a more solid roof to my run.


ETA: My dad always looks at the negative first. Iv'e put up with it for 26 almost 27 years. I just take it with a grain of salt. Now that my son and I have moved back in with them he is better, but still doesn't think "positive" that often.

 

[HickoryGuy]

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[cafarmgirl]

Well, most of us here have those same predators and more and we still have our chickens!

If your coop and run is secure and well built, i.e. welded wire, not chicken wire, you should be fine. If you do expect a greater then normal predator presence you can always run a few strands of hot wire around the coop for added security. Of course if you live in a high predator area and you free range then yes, expect to have more losses. Otherwise with a little care and vigilance to coop/run construction you should be fine. Tell Dad to relax and look forward to enjoying some fresh eggs when they start laying!

 

[fancbrd4me02]

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I agree. Don't worry!

 

[speckledhen]

Do all you can to make your coop and run as predator-proof as you can and then, just be vigilant. I have had chickens for over four years and have every predator you can think of here (live in the mtns) and so far, no losses. Hawks fly through here daily, dogs roam, coyotes, foxes, etc, etc. Eventually, I'll have a predator loss, I'm sure, but so far, nope.

****Forgot to say that I do free range the various flocks once or twice a week, too. There are plenty of leyland cypress and rhododendron to hide under and my roosters are always on alert.

 

[gritsar]

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I love it.

 

[darkmatter]

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Yes, do the best you can, but there will be predation. I wrote about some of my experiences earlier: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=236368