Update to "Is it even worth it?"

[careeka22]

I want to thank everyone for the advice they gave in my last post. My husband surprised me by taking me our local feed store to pick out new chicks! So I guess he felt the same way as I that we just aren't done being "chicken people" . They are sooo adorable. We got a Lavender Orpington (straight run) and a RR, Buff Orpington, Specked Sussex, EE, Barred Rock, and a California White. We kinda hope the Lavender is a roo but time will tell.

We are still working on what protection we are going with but he ruled out the electric fencing, just with young kids around we don't want to run the risk of them getting shocked. I think we are leaning towards a chain link pen. For now we attached our old smaller coop with a small run to the entrance of the large coop for our remaining older hens. It will be a while before we merge the chicks outside.

 

[N F C]

Congratulations on your new chicks!

 

[CCUK]

That's wonderful news! You have chosen a nice selection. Money spent on good predator proofing is definitely money well spent!

 

[careeka22]

That's wonderful news! You have chosen a nice selection. Money spent on good predator proofing is definitely money well spent!

Thank you! I agree and we will be sure to get something to protect them the best we can.

 

[theoldchick]

Yay! Hardware cloth goes along way in predator proofing.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Awwe, congrats on the new babies. One thing that jumped ought at me was your mention of vhain link for security. Chain link is strong, but the openings are too large to prevent most predators on its own.

 

[careeka22]

Awwe, congrats on the new babies. One thing that jumped ought at me was your mention of vhain link for security. Chain link is strong, but the openings are too large to prevent most predators on its own.

Thanks! That is good to know. Would a fence with rabbit wire be better?

 

[CCUK]

Thanks! That is good to know. Would a fence with rabbit wire be better?

I think if you used chain link fencing then attached hardware cloth to it maybe dug into the ground , that would be pretty secure. And a roof or bird netting over the top to stop hawk attacks.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Thanks! That is good to know. Would a fence with rabbit wire be better?

The rabbit wire I've seen at TSC wouldn't be a substitute for 1/2" or 1/4" hardware cloth. Depending again on your expected predators HC is the only way to keep raccoon hands out and decapitating your birds, also possums are quite skilled if clumsy too. Motion sensor flood lights might be worth investigating just to give chicken a fighting chance of escape by some alertness with light, but that would not be a foundational strategy for me just a backup. I don't bother with HC on the run, just the coop it is much more economical. I still have plenty left over from hardening my 8ftx8ft coop so it was $1/foot for the 4'x50' roll.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks! That is good to know. Would a fence with rabbit wire be better?

Many common predators are ankle to get at birds through openings of an inch or less, this is why 1/2 inch hardware cloth is a popular choice in securing birds. Other materiels have varying degrees of guaranteed security, but because security and prevention of loss is such a priority fir you now i would advise you to invest in the most secure option available.