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I use 2"x4" welded wire for the fence. I join two runs of wire that are 4 feet tall. I mount the top 6 feet on posts and lay the remaining 2 feet on the ground and cover it with soil to prevent digging under the fence. I cover the bottom 2 feet with chicken wire on the inside to prevent...

It is surprising how high a young chicken can jump. I have 4 foot fences around the 3/4 acre they use to forage. I have seen some of them on the fence, but not have had more than one wind up outside. They have plenty to keep them busy inside the fence. I don't expect them to leave voluntarily...

I don't clip the wings on my chickens. I have a 4 foot fence enclosing the forage area. None has flown out so far. By the time that they chickens are mature, they will be so heavy that they won't be able to fly more than a couple of feet off the ground. The run has a 6 foot fence over which...

Young chickens sleep in a pile as when they were chicks, until they about ready to lay. That's when mine start to roost each year. They will roost on branches and such during the day, but sleep in a pile at night. One day, they will decide to join the rest of the chickens and roost on the 2x4...

From time to time, our eggs have spots and lumps on them. It appears to be totally normal. You can probably flick the lumps off with your fingernail. My girls' eggs also vary in the shade of brown from day to day, so there's that. Chris

My chickens have plenty of sheltering bushes and shrubs nearby all the time that they are out. Usually, the crows run the hawks off. We have hawks here from time to time. I have a rooster, who would likely be the first victim. When a hawk comes, he alerts and stands out in the open making a...

We have hawks come by from time to time. Usually, the crows run them off. The rooster goes on alert and stands out in the open warning his girls. The hens run for cover. Throughout the area where they forage there is shelter within 20 feet nearly all the time. I have a screen over the run...

The chickens will likely grind up the pits in the crop as they do with other seeds. As far as having a lot of plums, don't overdo it. Treats in moderation. Chris

It has been my experience that plain water will do just fine keeping chickens hydrated. That's all they get here in South Carolina. They certainly need shade. Chris

My chickens roam all over the 3/4 acre fenced area, but have not taken to leaving. The fence is 4 foot chain link. Chris

The rule of thumb is 4 square feet per chicken in the coop and 10 square feet per chicken in the run. Chris

I thought the steel belts in a tire would present problems when it was cut or ground. It appears that my fear was well founded. It is hard to beat good old sand. Chris

Plastic lattice might do little to keep predators out. Hardware cloth is good at keeping predators out. Chris

Think about the concept of Fort Knox: no one gets in. I wrapped the wire around the coop to block the legs. The apron I extended 24 inches out from the bottom of the fencing at any point and laid it on the ground. I added some stones and bricks to keep it in place. Over time the soil and...

It would be informative to cite these educated sources, for those of us who don't readily believe everything we hear or see on the internet. Most of the concerns with wood products stems from the dust, not the shavings or other forms of wood. The dust of almost anything can be harmful. Just...

I believe the rule of thumb is to keep them confined for two weeks, so that they learn where home is. Chris

When I have a new bunch, I have noticed that the first few days after moving them outdoors that they spend most of their time in the coop even with the door open. It seems that it takes one to be adventurous and check out what's going on on the ground to entice the others to venture out into...

I am sure you can find the plans somewhere for the one I use. It is a 5 gallon plastic bucket with 2 inch holes drilled around the outside near the bottom seated in an oil change pan so that there is about 1 - 2 inches of space between the bucket and the edge of the oil pan. This prevents them...

Several inches of sand in the run will solve most all of your problems with wetness and mud. Chris

I don't keep water in the coop. They don't drink at night. I keep water in the run. If there is a spill, it soaks into the ground and does not leave a mess. They are out at first light, so they can drink all they want. Chris