How do you deal with predators? I want to start a chicken coop this year but if I leave for a day or two will the chickens get slaughtered? Do I need a dog to keep the coyotes away? I feel like once I get a chicken coop going I'm going to be stuck there all the time.
We go a week without feeding, it's easy to get someone to check the coop once, tell them to keep the eggs. After about 4 days they will have a few dozen. Don't leave the eggs too long, then they become broody.
I made an enclosed run so predators aren't an issue. Use a strong metal mesh for the walls of the enclosure. Dig it down at least a foot to prevent burrowing, but you may also want to bury a mesh floor if you have lots of predators. With an enclosed run, the chickens can get in/out of the coop for exercise and you can leave them for a few days if necessary.
If you just have a coop, you'll need to let them out each day and lock them up at night for predators. I don't have experience with dogs or other guards.
I put a lot of effort into my coop/run so that I can leave them for a week at a time (or longer if food/water is stocked). The only daily item that needs taken care of is removing eggs, and I can usually get a neighbor to agree to free eggs.
Do you have wheels on your coup? My neighbor does and insists on it. He moves it around his yard for some reason.
No. My coop/run is stationary and fortified against predators.
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