Some questions from a wanna-be-newbie

[Ridgerunner]

AmandaBB,
Welcome. You have come to the right place to learn about keeping chickens. I learn something every day here.

I'd like to add some to Rockabilly7's post. The problem we had with snakes is not so much eating grown chickens but eating eggs and baby chicks. In Tennesse we killed a black snake because he was eating eggs and we don't want to kill a black snake. They do great things for vermin, especially mice. Rockabilly is absolutely right that snakes are not normally a problem but they are another predator you need to be aware of.

 

[AmandaBB]

Would it help if we'd make a 3-4 ft solid fence around it or do snakes still get over that?
I've lived in this area for about 3 years now and I always see plenty of snakes.
Most of them are gopher snakes so I leave those alone but I really wouldn't want them to start eating the eggs.

 

[patandchickens]

Seems to me that it would be simpler, and FAR FAR easier, to worry about snakeproofing the nestboxes and wherever you brood chicks. People don't generally lose fullgrown chickens to snakes.

JMO, have fun,

Pat

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would not go to any extreme lengths to snake-proof the run other than what you were planning. Even if you have snakes in the area, odds are very good that they will never be a problem to the eggs or chicks. In all my years growing up, we only had the problem once and there were a lot of snakes around.

With your set-up, the chickens will keep the run clean so they don't have any cover, so they will be relunctant to cross the open ground to the coop. Don't leave piles of wood, brush or other trash around where they can hide. It's one of those to just be aware it could be a problem. I personally worry a lot more about coyotes, foxes, dogs, raccoons and hawks. And I will not cover my run unless hawks prove to be a problem.

 

[Machelle the chellbug!]

Looks great and it seems like you've gotten plenty of advice. The only thing I would do is make it convenient to gather eggs without having to walk through the coop of poo to get your fresh eggs!! I have daycare and the kids love to gather eggs but don't want myself or them to get yecky!

Have fun!!

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

Quote:
You might want to put the housing OUTSIDE the run so you have access to three sides for cleaning,egg raiding, feeding and watering without getting into the run.

You can see what I mean at my BYC Blog site.

 

[AmandaBB]

Dr.Doorlock :

You might want to put the housing OUTSIDE the run so you have access to three sides for cleaning,egg raiding, feeding and watering without getting into the run.

You can see what I mean at my BYC Blog site.

Wow, that looks like a great idea! Thanks.