I have a slightly different approach. I have a very secure pen that I've made as predator proof as possible. The coop is built solid but not a jail. I leave the pop door of the coop open all the time so the birds can enter and leave the coop when it suits them. It's the pen that provides the safety and security.
I don't have to obsess about being home by sunset to lock them in, or at dawn to let them out. We are all much happier. I can leave town for the weekend and not worry. When I'm home they get to run free in a fenced area that's adjacent to their secure pen. They can run back in whenever they feel like it; that's where the food and water are, too.
To make their pen secure we us half inch welded wire for the bottom 3 feet, then 2 x 4 welded wire for the top half. I've overlapped them and used heavy wire to secure it.
NEVER rely on chicken wire!
The reason I use 1/2" wire is because racoons can and WILL reach thru anything larger.
Under the dirt floor of the pen I used more 2 x 4 wire. At the edge of the pen the wire is bent up and overlaps the pen sides by a couple of inches. That's also wired together every few inches.
There is also an apron of 2 x 4 wire fencing that's attached to the bottom edge of the pen's sides and extends 18-24" out. If it's not attached a predator/dog can dig between the apron and the bottom edge of the pen. Don't forget the space in front of the pen's people door.
It's a very large, safe, secure cage.
On top we now have corrugated fiberglass roofing that's screwed down very securely. Originally we had just 2 x 4 wire, but it was also screwed down very securely.
Don't use staples, they pull out way too easily! Use screws and washers.
Keep food and water in the secure pen so it doesn't attract other critters at night.
You can see some pictures of what I did if you click on "my coop" below my avatar.
Good Luck and have great fun. And like someone earlier said, do the best you can then relax and enjoy your birds.
I don't have to obsess about being home by sunset to lock them in, or at dawn to let them out. We are all much happier. I can leave town for the weekend and not worry. When I'm home they get to run free in a fenced area that's adjacent to their secure pen. They can run back in whenever they feel like it; that's where the food and water are, too.
To make their pen secure we us half inch welded wire for the bottom 3 feet, then 2 x 4 welded wire for the top half. I've overlapped them and used heavy wire to secure it.
NEVER rely on chicken wire!
The reason I use 1/2" wire is because racoons can and WILL reach thru anything larger.
Under the dirt floor of the pen I used more 2 x 4 wire. At the edge of the pen the wire is bent up and overlaps the pen sides by a couple of inches. That's also wired together every few inches.
There is also an apron of 2 x 4 wire fencing that's attached to the bottom edge of the pen's sides and extends 18-24" out. If it's not attached a predator/dog can dig between the apron and the bottom edge of the pen. Don't forget the space in front of the pen's people door.
It's a very large, safe, secure cage.
On top we now have corrugated fiberglass roofing that's screwed down very securely. Originally we had just 2 x 4 wire, but it was also screwed down very securely.
Don't use staples, they pull out way too easily! Use screws and washers.
Keep food and water in the secure pen so it doesn't attract other critters at night.
You can see some pictures of what I did if you click on "my coop" below my avatar.
Good Luck and have great fun. And like someone earlier said, do the best you can then relax and enjoy your birds.
