New Enclosure - following fox attack:(

[JaimeW]

So we had our small flock of 6 hens free ranging for the past 9 months in our fenced in yard. Unfortunately a fox found them last week. Thankfully my husband came home during it and was able to scare the fox off - we lost one hen and our ability to let them free range. Our coop has a small enclosed run which they have been contained to for the past week and we are erecting a 10 x 10 covered/enclosed run that will allow direct access from their coop. Is that adequate space for 5 hens?
I did some youtube digging and found a way to build a 3' predator apron around the new enclosure since the ground is frozen in upstate NY and we cant bury anything.
We are still pretty new to this and would appreciate feedback

 

[PickledFeett]

10x10 is fine for your birds. You could even add a couple more, depending on the breed or breeds you have. I have eight Sussex in a 10x10 run and they do just fine. I do let them out in the evenings while im working in the garden, by the time im done there back in the coop and i close it up for the night.

 

[JaimeW]

10x10 is fine for your birds. You could even add a couple more, depending on the breed or breeds you have. I have eight Sussex in a 10x10 run and they do just fine. I do let them out in the evenings while im working in the garden, by the time im done there back in the coop and i close it up for the night.

Thanks!! I have orpington hens and they love roaming the yard - it's just not safe right now. I plan on letting them out of the enclosed run in the warmer months when we are home.

 

[rosemarythyme]

10x10 should be fine, though if you're considering more birds in the future, you might want to preemptively go bigger.

 

[JaimeW]

10x10 should be fine, though if you're considering more birds in the future, you might want to preemptively go bigger.

We live in a urban area and were approved for 5 birds so that looks like our cap

 

[aart]

Our coop has a small enclosed run which they have been contained to for the past week and we are erecting a 10 x 10 covered/enclosed run that will allow direct access from their coop. Is that adequate space for 5 hens?
I did some youtube digging and found a way to build a 3' predator apron around the new enclosure since the ground is frozen in upstate NY and we cant bury anything.

What's the run made out of?
Will it have a secure roof?
Pics would be helpful.

Apron can go on top of ground, tho it's good to stake it down.
Might be able to drive pins in?
Apron Notes:
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
If rodents are prolific, burying the apron ~12" would be good.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208


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[JaimeW]

The run is 10x10x6 chain link with a soft roof covering. Was planning on building something in spring but fox struck first. I feel bad because they are use to roaming on a 1/4 acre but now in a 10x10. Will let them roam when we are home and when food isn’t so scarce for the predators.