Protection!

[Jmurcks]

I don't have any chickens, yet, but I am trying to get everything in order for when I do get them.
I have a fenced in back yard, about 1/4 acre I was planning on putting them in that is fenced with chain link and goat wire.
Am I going to have to build a pen for them or will this be ok for them to run in during the day? I plan on putting them up at night in a coop but I was scared that maybe it was too much yard and too easy to get into? It's about a 4-6 foot fence.
Also, in regards to hawks, I had this idea but not sure if it would work... about halfway of the yard I thought about flying a fairly large American flag. Maybe patriotic and practical? I thought it might deter the hawks a bit, I guess only when the wind is blowing, though!
Thanks so much!

 

[Kennyog]

I would keep the chickens covered with some type of netting if you are worried about hawks.Owls are more of a problem than hawks,but if you put them in at night,problem solved.Dogs can jump a fence to get chickens also.I have trapped 15 coons and 1 'possum this year around my coop.You can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your chickens.I also trapped a cat that was snooping around my coop.