The only thing different about how I used hardware cloth around the run was to run it a full 3' of it along the bottom 3' of the run where it meets the ground. I then laid 3' of chicken wire on the ground to hopefully prevent digging predators. I have the chicken wire pinned/staked with garden stakes and stakes made from wire coat hangers.
I look at them staying out at night in this way...they have a coop to go into at night, if they want. If they decide to sleep outdoors then they must be comfortable with that. Our Banty Mottled Cochins have just started laying a week ago and I'm amazed at how many of the flock are in the coop during the day, it's almost like a cheering section, for the laying gals. If they hang out in the coop during the day, they know where it is at dark-thirty. I do keep a line of self-colored red tube lights on at night in the coops...more for me than the birds but I like to think that they appreciate it too!
We also have an Australian Shepherd who knows it's her job to keep the chickens and rabbits safe. She loves her job! We let her out into our yard (we live in the country) when she wants out and she's always in the yard. She used to roam (at her first home where we adopted her from) until she came to live with us and we gave her a job to do (rabbits & chickens).
I can't sleep right now...going to see the bank about a Harley tomorrow and just too excited!!!
Dawn
I look at them staying out at night in this way...they have a coop to go into at night, if they want. If they decide to sleep outdoors then they must be comfortable with that. Our Banty Mottled Cochins have just started laying a week ago and I'm amazed at how many of the flock are in the coop during the day, it's almost like a cheering section, for the laying gals. If they hang out in the coop during the day, they know where it is at dark-thirty. I do keep a line of self-colored red tube lights on at night in the coops...more for me than the birds but I like to think that they appreciate it too!
We also have an Australian Shepherd who knows it's her job to keep the chickens and rabbits safe. She loves her job! We let her out into our yard (we live in the country) when she wants out and she's always in the yard. She used to roam (at her first home where we adopted her from) until she came to live with us and we gave her a job to do (rabbits & chickens).
I can't sleep right now...going to see the bank about a Harley tomorrow and just too excited!!!
Dawn
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