Safe to run free?

[bsshog40]

So below is a picture of our chicken coop and run. Don't mind the feeder and waterer as I changed those out to 5 gal buckets. So we've had our chickens for 5 months. I occasionally have seen a racoon around but never near the house and coyotes never come near the property. We have a dog that runs free and pretty much keeps things away. We have been wanting to get away on a wknd once in a while but worry about the chickens. As stated, I've already swapped water and feeder to 5 gal buckets. The chickens go inside the coop about 8:45 every night and I go out and close the coop door. Was wanting to test out leaving their door open and see how it goes. The main pen where the coop is was a dog pen. Has 2"x4" spacing welded rod and 1/2" hardwire across the top. The pen extension attached to it is covered with 1/2" hardwire entirely. So I think I drew this out long enough. Lol You think this is all safe enough for the chickens to be unsupervised for a couple days at a time? Thanks for any opinions.
Bobby

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well, it's not completely predator proof, so it depends on how much of a risk you are willing to take. Is there a predator apron? If you leave the door open the chickens will be out in the run very early in the morning which is when many predators are looking for a meal.

 

[Chicks in VA]

View attachment 3912913

I used the black dog pen you have for years as a coop and never lost a bird at night or in the morning. Not saying you won't lose one and
Im not sure how safe the other pen is.

Personally I would recommend getting some electric poultry netting to put around your coop/run if you want to go away multiple times a year.
I love my netting that I got from Premier1
I put my birds in after a fox killed 3 chickens while free ranging and haven't lost one since and it's been a few months.

Since you have a roof if you got electric netting you would be almost predator proof and could leave as long as you wanted (depending on how long the food and water lasts)

I recommend the 48" tall netting cause its harder for foxes and dogs to jump . plus if you ever let you birds out in it as an extended run while you're home they are less likely to fly out.

That's just my opinion hope it helps!

 

[bsshog40]

I may see if I have enough hardwire to do an apron just for peace of mind. Can't really do anything electrical. Our free roaming dog likes to lay out by the run as if he's watching over the chickens. One of them pecked him once so he stays a couple feet away. Lol Plus the g-kids like to feed the chickens grass when they come over. Lol