New to raising chickens...

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SamandElla

SamandElla

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Nov 17, 2015
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Yucca Valley, CA
Hi all! So happy to have found this forum! My husband and I are just finishing building our coop and will be getting 4-5 chickens in the next week or two. We are both very excited and I have been voraciously reading this forum to learn as much as I can before we bring home our new family members. I have a question, we have our coop in a yard that is fenced in so that the chickens can roam around. Can we leave the coop open during the day when we are at work so they can have the run of the yard or do you recommend we keep them in the confines of the coop when we aren't there? Here is a pic of our almost finished coop - any ideas and recommendations are welcome. Thank you in advance for your responses!!!

Cheers!

 



It's according to what type of predators you have in your area. I live in a neighborhood, and still have to worry about hawks. If I haven't seen any way up there scoping for a while, I leave mine out in the yard. My only killing was from a Ferrell cat. That was yrs. ago.
I love your coop!
 
I think the big question is what kind of predators do you have? We have hawks and I don't like leaving my young ones out during the day when I'm not home. (My basset hound is not much of a guard dog). Your picture doesn't show much cover for other protection. Of course this is after they're old enough to come back to the house at dusk too, otherwise you're chasing in the evening. LOL

BTW: Welcome to the coop (group).
 
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Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided to join our flock. Your coop is beautiful. Thanks for posting the pic. :o) As far as leaving them unattended out in the fenced yard, not only are the predators in your area a concern, but unless your fence is higher than it appears to be in the pic, your chickens will likely fly over the fence. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Cheers.
 
welcome-byc.gif


The only time my flock is outside, is when I am there with them. Otherwise, they are in a covered run and the door to the coop open. You might consider adding a run to your setup so your chickens could enjoy outside time but still be protected.

Thanks for joining us, your coop is looking good!
 
Welcome to Backyard chickens. I agree with NFC in regards to having a secure covered run the chickens can be in, during the day, when you aren't home to supervise them.
 

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