I live in Southern California. The house I’ve went into has a large and enclosed chain link dog-run in the backyard where the previous owner used to keep a tortoise. Lately, I’ve been toying with the thought of getting a chicken from a local rescue agency and keeping in the turtle/dog run. The back yard has a ton of space, a large lawn, and some fine dirt areas. I’m wondering just what other type of accommodations I might need to make for a chicken. While the run would serve as it’s main enclosure during the night time, is chain link enough to keep out predators? What type of coop would I need inside of the run? Just a box with some straw? Is it best to let the chicken out of the run during the day, and place back at night? I live in a suburban area near the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, so I’m guessing that the climate shouldn’t be an issue for the entire year. Is this right? Do I need to worry about the chicken jumping the fence during the day into neighbors yards? How do you keep this from happening?
Mainly, my concerns rest in housing the chicken. I reckon I have the start of a excellent setup, but could use some more advice.
Thanks!
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That sounds like a excellent setup for chickens. You might consider putting some plywood walls around part of the top and sides of the enclosure for protection from predators and weather. You could also place a small coop inside the fence- a dog house or something would work, as long as it’s simple to clean. The chickens will need a nest box, which is pretty simple.
As long as the fence is more than about 5 feet tall it isn’t very likely that they would escape, but it would be a excellent thought to place a mesh or wood cover on the the enclosure just to be safe. The chickens can be in the lawn during the day, but at night they should be locked in their fence. Also, chickens like to be kept in groups so consider adopting more than one.
Ahh, Chickens make wonderful pets, and are REALLY affectionate to it’s owners, believe it or not. House a chicken in a makeshift hen, or simply buy a cage. Feeding and caring is simple, it only requires corn! Congratulations!
I have raised chickens and I dont know of anyone who has them as pets, since they generally dont care to be touched , but I suppose you could try it and see what you reckon. Your backyard sounds fine, most chickens dont glide very high, depending on the breed, I did have some once that liked to roost on the tree branches, they like to be off of the ground when they are sleeping.If you provide a solid place for roosting and provide all the chicken feed and water it wants then you shouldnt have any problem with them flying over the fence unless it is spooked by dogs or something. Are you getting a hen or a rooster? Since a rooster will not need a box with straw, only the hen uses them as nests. Most hens lay one egg a day with or without a rooster.When you first get the chicken leave it in the chain link for a few weeks till it gets used to its living area, probably a roosting bar in there would be best, food water and shelter, or it will run away if its not used to its new home. Chickens have to settle in before you let them loose during the day. It would be unusual if the chicken left your yard after the settle in period but if it does you may have to take it to someone that knows how to clip its wings, it wont hurt the chicken they just clip a few feathers so it cant glide. Well excellent luck, Im sure there is loads of info on the web!
Chickens are wonderful pets but chainlink will not keep a predator out. She needs to come into the house at night. In fact, I’d keep her in most of the time unless you can supervise her outside. A bird is a flock animal and you will be her flock if she is a pet.
A real chicken coop is predator proof. Where you live there are lots of predators so you must keep her safe. You can get a large crate and keep her in at night and when you cannot protect her. One chicken is simple to care for. Talk more to the people who have her now.