Planned and possibly ready to build.

[V-NH]

So, I just bought my chicks yesterday and I am planning to start building their future home this weekend. I figure it will take me 2 or 3 weekends to get it ready for them if the weather cooperates. I don't plan to put them in it until early May, however.

Here is a picture of the shed that is going to act as their coop:



Dimensions:

7'10" wide
8'2" deep

I plan to build several wooden frames out of 2x4s to attach wire fencing to. I am going to build their run in an L-shape around the front and left (if you are facing it) side of the shed. It will come out 10 feet from the front of the shed, run 12 feet across toward the left side, then run 16 feet toward the back of the shed and come across 4 feet to meet the shed on the back of the left side.

I have a couple of questions about my plan. First, can I cover the top of the run with wire fence, or is there a better/easier material to use? I do not plan to put a roof over the top of the run, just some sort of material to keep predators out. Further, do I need to put any kind of support beams across the top or is there a material that I can just cover the area with and not have any problems?

I have a one acre property, so I would love to try to free range my chickens, but the reality is that the majority of my property is wooded and I do have one neighbor closeby. Any thoughts on free ranging chickens in a wooded area?

I plan to keep as many as 20 chickens in this coop/run, is that reasonable?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DaddyBird]

You can use poultry netting over the top. It is cheaper than wire and will prevent the aerial attacks. If your neighbor is sensitive and that close, I would stick with a nice size run. You can make temporary quick enclosures out of netting and step in posts if you want them to graze different areas of the yard.