New Member from North East NC

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Lungman

Chirping
Mar 30, 2020
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Hello everyone on BYC,

My name is Donnie and I live in north east NC and am new to chickens. My flock has been ordered and will be here 04/27/2020. I have ordered 15 Rhode Island Red hens from a hatchery and I need help. What size coop? I am thinking 8x8 with an A-Frame design. I live in the country so we have lots of Opossums, Raccoons and coyotes ( lots of those %^%$#$#%%)! I am going to build under a small oak in my yard right next to my shop and easily accessible. I will have a fenced in run of about 25x25 but not roofed. I will fence with 4 foot tall fence. Any suggestions will be welcome. I know lots of ventilation is required and will build in plenty in the top of walls, and along the floors. When I am home will allow free ranging as most everyone who lives near me does. Predators do not seem to be a problem in the day so much. I also need to know if I need a Rooster? I am thinking probably so at this point. I may just order one or 2 anyway.
Feel free to contact me! Also as a side note I am a registered Respiratory Therapist and have been for almost 30 years and I am also a Hyperbaric Technician as well.
 
Hello, Donnie, and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
The coop size is good.
If you have that many predators, use 1/2" hardware cloth securely attached to your fence framing. Add a predator apron out about 2 feet to prevent digging into the pen.
I would also run a strand or two of hot wire around it.
You don't need a rooster.
 
Lungman said:
Do you mean electric fence for the hot wire? I run around the bottom and the top?
Click to expand...
Yes but not around the bottom and top.
Run the first strand at 6" and the next at 12" up from the ground. Those are the locations likely to touch a nose and deliver a strong message.
 

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