Hello,
I will be building my first ever coop/run this summer in anticipation of getting chicks next spring. I am planning for a maximum of 4 birds at a time (getting 3 to start with, with the option to introduce 2 more at a time if something happens to one of them). I live in Minnesota in a semi-urban setting (along a park), so both snow and predators (possum, fox, occasional coyote) are considerations. Because of that, I'm planning to build along the north end of my 12x20ft garden. Hens will have access to the garden when I'm home and the weather is nice, but will be in the run for the majority of the time in reality.
For the run: I'm planning on 5'x12' running alongside my garden. Is this too narrow? It will be eaten into by a raised coop (planning 4x5, 30" off the ground with space to roam below) and the framing, so in practice the useable area will be smaller and narrower. I'm unfortunately not able to go a whole lot wider with a permanent structure due to pipelines that run through my property and restrictions on having open ground above them. I could look for a different location if needed, but this would be easiest to give them garden access.
Regarding the garden: I'm planning on Orpingtons, and my beds are all 2' raised beds. Am I asking for disaster on that being added free-range space for them?
Regarding the coop: it would back up to our privacy fence along our fenceline, but not attached to the fence. Am I asking for predators with having the fence that's so easily climbable so close to the coop? I'm picturing a determined possum sitting on the fence support and as a result having plenty of energy to gnaw it's way through the wood & siding of the coop. I've been learning a lot about predator behavior, but I'm not sure if I'm being overly worried about this issue specifically.
Thank you, everyone!!
I will be building my first ever coop/run this summer in anticipation of getting chicks next spring. I am planning for a maximum of 4 birds at a time (getting 3 to start with, with the option to introduce 2 more at a time if something happens to one of them). I live in Minnesota in a semi-urban setting (along a park), so both snow and predators (possum, fox, occasional coyote) are considerations. Because of that, I'm planning to build along the north end of my 12x20ft garden. Hens will have access to the garden when I'm home and the weather is nice, but will be in the run for the majority of the time in reality.
For the run: I'm planning on 5'x12' running alongside my garden. Is this too narrow? It will be eaten into by a raised coop (planning 4x5, 30" off the ground with space to roam below) and the framing, so in practice the useable area will be smaller and narrower. I'm unfortunately not able to go a whole lot wider with a permanent structure due to pipelines that run through my property and restrictions on having open ground above them. I could look for a different location if needed, but this would be easiest to give them garden access.
Regarding the garden: I'm planning on Orpingtons, and my beds are all 2' raised beds. Am I asking for disaster on that being added free-range space for them?
Regarding the coop: it would back up to our privacy fence along our fenceline, but not attached to the fence. Am I asking for predators with having the fence that's so easily climbable so close to the coop? I'm picturing a determined possum sitting on the fence support and as a result having plenty of energy to gnaw it's way through the wood & siding of the coop. I've been learning a lot about predator behavior, but I'm not sure if I'm being overly worried about this issue specifically.
Thank you, everyone!!
