Newbie chicken run questions

[speeps76]

We will be getting our first chicks ever next month! We recently moved onto 10 acres, so we have plenty of room. As much as I'd LOVE to free range our chickens, we have lots of coyotes, hawks and the like around here. Neighbors have had trouble keeping their chickens alive.

I'm thinking our best bet may be a 10x10 dog kennel as a run with the coop inside - covered with deer cloth or something to keep the hawks out.

I'm curious if anyone else has used a large dog kennel and how hard it might be to move it? We have a HUGE garden space. I'd love to set it in a section of the garden, but move it annually to keep their ground fresh and help fertilize things.

We're starting with only 6 chicks since this is new to us - 3 barred rock and 3 buff orpingtons. My almost 7 year old son will be helping care for them, and I know we'll all get attached to them. They'll definitely be pets.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any ideas on a way to keep them semi-mobile with as much space as we can safely give them.

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[Mahlzeit]

I don't think the dog kennel part will be too hard to move. I would try to put the coop on wheels or something if it's going to be heavy. If you're just planning on moving it annually I don't think it would be a problem.

 

[Bradfordj]

Nice choice for breeds. my two favorites! I started breeding them this year to sell. I don't think you will have issues moving the kennel around. I'm sure if you had to you could jimmy some wheels somehow onto it as well is needed. Think outside the box if you struggle with it. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just has to be functional!

 

[bdjh]

Good idea. I agree with the idea of putting the coop on wheels to make it easier to move.

I'd refrain from letting them free range in the garden when you have veggies growing.....they'll go to town on them.....but at other times of the year, let them go crazy.....good fertilizer, and they'll uproot every weed in the whole garden, AND get rid of all the bugs.

As far as predators go......In our experience, it's nighttime when you need to protect them.....I don't think you'll find too many predators out during the day, depending on where you are, but make sure the girls are locked up tight at night.

If you're out with them, however, let them roam. They love to wander and check things out.