Run enclosure question

[ryuujo]

As you can see below I have a nice new run setup for my 4 week old chickens. Before I move them out there in a few weeks time I am starting to wonder if I should put wire over the top to keep them from flying. Or any other thoughts and suggestions. I live in Portland, Oregon.

I am also starting to wonder how I will get my chickens into the coop at night with such a large run.... did I over do it?

 

[promisedland198]

I am responding to your concern about the chickens going in to the coop from a big run.
My girls have had a big run for some time and they run free as often as I can be outside with them.

It sounds like your girls are young but they will go in to roost instinctively. I did not let my hatchlings live outside until they were pretty big but once they got the outside coop and run there was no problem getting them to go in at night.

Before the run was complete, my girls were a bit stubborn about going back to their cage on my deck and one spent the night outside on her own because I refused to chase a black chicken in the dark.

She survived the night and came to me in the morning when I called her. She has never spent the night outside again I think I scared her straight.

I would suggest that your run be covered so nothing could climb in from the top. You might have to put the girls in the coop until they understand that the coop is their home but once they know it theirs, they will use it. I have a chain link kennel for my run and it is covered from the weather.
I also keep my coop door shut at night in case something does get in the cage, it will not get in the coop and at the girls. that is my two cents worth.
Enjoy your birds they are so much fun. promisedland198

 

[dhawk0422]

That looks beautiful! You haven't over done it! Lucky chickies . . . I would cover the top, myself. It won't be long before they are flying and, even if you clip their wings, other critters could scale that thing and go after your babies! Great job!

 

[ryuujo]

Here is my problem with covering it is I would have no way to get in and out of the run and as well as access to the coop. The coop is already fixed because of the power and water that I ran to it. So now I am at a loss.

 

[Gyoza]

I would suggest build a door to replace your current gate into the run. Erect a tall post against your chicken coop and drape netting from top of post to top of fence.

Initially I didn't cover my chicken run a hawk almost got them. Luckily I was working my garden and heard my little ones cry and I was able to scare the hawk off just in time. Things could have been very different if I wasn't there.