- Jan 22, 2015
- 23
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Hi y'all!
We are a family living in the city of San Francisco. We've decided to get chickens (3 hens is the current plan) for fresh eggs.
We purchased a kit build coop+run from amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D8319O?psc=1), which we've assembled.
Now the question we have is this. We both work, and so the chickens will often be unattended during the day, so for additional space, these are the three options we are considering:
1: build a significant extension to the run, which would act as a "tunnel" to a space between a building and a fence, which we could then close off, to add 18' of linear space (by appx 24" across) which contains dirt, weeds, etc, and would allow for "anytime" access for the hens. This would be constructed from 2x4s and hardware cloth.
2: add a small run to the existing structure (something like this: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Pr..._sim_lg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CCZYCJYY88VHD6SVEYD) to allow a small amount of additional space, but as a kit, so not a lot of sweat equity
3: enclose a larger are which contains the coop structure with some chicken wire, letting the hens out in the morning, and asking our dog walker to close them up around 3 PM each afternoon. This would give them access to an area appx 11ft x 13ft, with some dense purple hopseed shrub they could take cover under in the event of an aerial attack.
Our thoughts and concerns are with balancing the safety of our ladies with their need for space.
Option 1 provides the most "secure" space for them.
Option 2 provides the fewest "access points" for predators
Option 3 provides the largest space for them
We live in the Sunset District of San Francisco, in adjacent lots, about 10 blocks from the beach. Racoons are a common site at dusk and at night, and red-tail hawks are visible during the day.
We'd love to hear any experience you can share on this topic - especially in urban environments, which I think have different predator concerns then the country/farmlands.
Thanks so much!!!
D+S
We are a family living in the city of San Francisco. We've decided to get chickens (3 hens is the current plan) for fresh eggs.
We purchased a kit build coop+run from amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D8319O?psc=1), which we've assembled.
Now the question we have is this. We both work, and so the chickens will often be unattended during the day, so for additional space, these are the three options we are considering:
1: build a significant extension to the run, which would act as a "tunnel" to a space between a building and a fence, which we could then close off, to add 18' of linear space (by appx 24" across) which contains dirt, weeds, etc, and would allow for "anytime" access for the hens. This would be constructed from 2x4s and hardware cloth.
2: add a small run to the existing structure (something like this: http://www.amazon.com/TRIXIE-Pet-Pr..._sim_lg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1CCZYCJYY88VHD6SVEYD) to allow a small amount of additional space, but as a kit, so not a lot of sweat equity
3: enclose a larger are which contains the coop structure with some chicken wire, letting the hens out in the morning, and asking our dog walker to close them up around 3 PM each afternoon. This would give them access to an area appx 11ft x 13ft, with some dense purple hopseed shrub they could take cover under in the event of an aerial attack.
Our thoughts and concerns are with balancing the safety of our ladies with their need for space.
Option 1 provides the most "secure" space for them.
Option 2 provides the fewest "access points" for predators
Option 3 provides the largest space for them
We live in the Sunset District of San Francisco, in adjacent lots, about 10 blocks from the beach. Racoons are a common site at dusk and at night, and red-tail hawks are visible during the day.
We'd love to hear any experience you can share on this topic - especially in urban environments, which I think have different predator concerns then the country/farmlands.
Thanks so much!!!
D+S
