We just got 3 red sex links, and 3 black sex links which are 3 weeks old. One they are old enough they will be moved out to a 10x12 coop, and a run that is 25x36. It will be fenced in 4 ft chicken wire. I'm hoping that they will have enough room and decide not to fly over. Do you guys think I will have an issue? Also eventually I would like to allow them to free range on our 10 acres.
Great sizes on your cool and run! Yes I think you will have difficulty keeping them in a 4' fenced area. Young chicks love to fly. If you net over the top That should keep em in your run. Best of wishes to ya. Currently in Michigan with family.
that run is huge for 6 chickens! And that's a good thing, no, it's a GREAT thing! totally agree chick charm though, that 4' fence won't be anything for them to go over if they so decide. Besides them getting OUT, what's to keep predators from getting IN?
Just an FYI, chicken wire will not keep ANY predators out. A dog can rip through it in less than three seconds flat and then there are all the other four-legged critters to contend with. Plus, a snake could easily slither through the wire as well for your eggs. As was posted above, four feet is a slight hop for a chicken. Particularly an excited one. Mine easily fly up to nearly eight feet (the height of my net-covered run) when they are agitated. I'd suggest that you get some hardware cloth and reinforce it with chainlink on the outside. That is what I did. That and put a cover of some kind to keep the hens from flying out. Not to mention, it will keep the hawks and other flying predators out as well.
Well you guys got to me, while the run will still only be 4 ft tall for now. I returned all the chicken wire and got welded wire. It actually ended up being $8 cheaper for the exact same dimensions
Welcome! Welded wire won't keep predators out either, but it's slightly better. Plan to have your birds locked in their predator proof coop every night, and look at upgrading your run to be safer for them. Mary
The coop is extremely predator prood, I'm not worried about that. Also the chicken will be free ranging a lot. The fence just needs to slow something down long enough for me to get out there with the dog and a nice dose of lead injection
Any tips for a newbie looking to make a predator proof coop? I do plan to use thick wood and hardware cloth, but anything else I should be aware of? We will likely have plenty of coyotes and raccoons...
