New To Raising Chickens

[chkva]

There are a lot of factors involved, like are you in or out of the city? What type of predators are in your area? Cats and dogs? Raccoons and skunks? Coyotes and hawks? Bears and mountain lions?

Ultimately you want to protect from digging predators (bury 1/2 inch hardware cloth 2feet below ground surface), climbing and bomb diving predators (roof and/or chicken wire/ hardware cloth over the run). And grabby/pushing predators that can reach through chain link fences (wrap run in hardware cloth).

My neighbors let their girls free range and only have a loading shed for shelter. I on the other hand have a locking coop for nighttime safety, run walls built with chain link fencing wrapped in hardware cloth to stop raccoons, snakes, and mice, clear and metal corrugated roofing for sun, cat, and hawk protection. And buried hardware cloth for the coyotes and my in-law’s rambunctious dog.
I do not worry about bears or mountain lions.

There is nothing wrong with how your neighbors are raising their chickens. I believe that everyone finds the best way that works for them and there's not one way that is the perfect way.

 

[drumstick diva]

Cityslicker Homestead, I would give you top marks for protecting your flock.

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

There is nothing wrong with how your neighbors are raising their chickens. I believe that everyone finds the best way that works for them and there's not one way that is the perfect way.

Absolutely. I was not shaming my neighbor. I was using them as an example of what options their are for coop and run setup.
Everything is personal preference.

 

[chkva]

Absolutely. I was not shaming my neighbor. I was using them as an example of what options their are for coop and run setup.
Everything is personal preference.

Chickens aren't too picky I've learned! I think we make it more complicated than it needs to be sometimes!

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

Chickens aren't too picky I've learned! I think we make it more complicated than it needs to be sometimes!

Oh I DEFINITELY make things more complicated than they need to be.

 

[drumstick diva]

sounds like me. I overthink things.

 

[chkva]

Oh I DEFINITELY make things more complicated than they need to be.

I once stayed up all night because my RSL wouldn't go in the coop so I left her in the run... Every time my dog made a peep, Id go check on her.

Your run would probably keep me out too definitely secured tight, but you have that sense of security and not having to worry as much.