First time chicken owner here 
Due to the corona virus conditions, we would rather buy a prefab coop as touching the wood to build one is a potential virus carrier and involves a lot more touch and leaning against the wood as you build. Are there any prefab coops that are actually sturdy and don't break down over time? If not, are there any design plans for building your own that you recommend?
We're setting up our chicky house on the side yard next to the garden house, in an area that is about 4' wide and at least 6' long or longer. The run will then extend alongside the side fence, with a second run going next to the house behind the bushes (along the width of the house). We have to keep everything hidden as the HOA doesn't allow chickens. Our neighbor has successfully hidden her 2 chickens in her yard for several years and we're copying her plan. The coop needs to be around 4' tall to keep it well hidden...basically just nesting boxes. We'll be housing 2-3 chickens. In regard to the run...do they prefer a wide area of is the run enough to make them happy? We can fence in the entire 15' x 25' side yard and let them sit out there during the day (with colored criss crossed twine over top to keep the hawks away), but the neighbor will be able to see them from his second story if we do that. We think he will be ok with it, but you never know. I'd rather he not know just in case. If all goes south, we have a friend with land who will take our chickies and add them to their flock. We're still thinking about asking the neighbor his opinion before doing it. He's a nice guy who has an impeccable yard. I figure you never know. We are looking at 3 Buff Orphington hens as I've read they're the quietest?
I also need advice on what to use for the fencing of the run. It will be narrow enough to keep hawks from being able to dive in, I just need to know what type of fencing to use.
Thanks everyone! Any and all advice is welcome!
Due to the corona virus conditions, we would rather buy a prefab coop as touching the wood to build one is a potential virus carrier and involves a lot more touch and leaning against the wood as you build. Are there any prefab coops that are actually sturdy and don't break down over time? If not, are there any design plans for building your own that you recommend?
We're setting up our chicky house on the side yard next to the garden house, in an area that is about 4' wide and at least 6' long or longer. The run will then extend alongside the side fence, with a second run going next to the house behind the bushes (along the width of the house). We have to keep everything hidden as the HOA doesn't allow chickens. Our neighbor has successfully hidden her 2 chickens in her yard for several years and we're copying her plan. The coop needs to be around 4' tall to keep it well hidden...basically just nesting boxes. We'll be housing 2-3 chickens. In regard to the run...do they prefer a wide area of is the run enough to make them happy? We can fence in the entire 15' x 25' side yard and let them sit out there during the day (with colored criss crossed twine over top to keep the hawks away), but the neighbor will be able to see them from his second story if we do that. We think he will be ok with it, but you never know. I'd rather he not know just in case. If all goes south, we have a friend with land who will take our chickies and add them to their flock. We're still thinking about asking the neighbor his opinion before doing it. He's a nice guy who has an impeccable yard. I figure you never know. We are looking at 3 Buff Orphington hens as I've read they're the quietest?
I also need advice on what to use for the fencing of the run. It will be narrow enough to keep hawks from being able to dive in, I just need to know what type of fencing to use.
Thanks everyone! Any and all advice is welcome!
