[bubbles108]

Hi

I live in a fox run area where there is no safe time to allow my chickens to be as free range as I'd like unless they are under strict supervision.  I work full time and so this is very limited

For this same reason their coop is on the concrete.  I have 2 black sussex chickens and my question is what size coop with run should I really have for them keeping in mind that they will be in it for most of the day.  Would anyone be able to recommend a site that sells good homes
I really do wonder if due to my circumstances I really am fair having chickens  I love them to bits and try my best but is it fair?

[joyfull]

ideally they need a clear run space (by clear I mean not counting the coop) of over 2 square meters per bird (for full time use I would suggest more like 4 square meters per bird. In this they need a covered section and if you could make several varying heights in there you could have a smaller run such as the 2 square meters per bird.
If you have a fox problem then this needs to be fox proof so made of good weld mesh and have this either dug down into the ground for 8-12 inches or with a skirt at right angles to the walls and sticking out 8 - 12 inches and pegged down. Ideally you should have a mesh roof on it too. 

[Tony H]

on ebay for good chicken homes or type in chicken house on google loads come up, but if all fails pets at home sell them as well  hope this helps

[joyfull]

sadly most of those on ebay etc have runs that are way too small 

[bygrace]

The houses on ebay that include the "far too small" runs were beyond my budget, particularly as I would have needed an extension to give my girlies adequate space. So what I did was buy a fairly low cost coop without run (on ebay), and donned my Bob the Builder hat to construct a reasonable size run with weldmesh sides and top and a 12 inch skirt all round. I also have an extension (currently without top) which I let them out into under supervision.
A walk-in run is ideal, but to save the construction cost and the weight my fixed run is 30 inches high and I have a fully detachable weldmesh roof in sections which I cable-tie on so I can easily remove at cleanout time. All the construction (including the roof) is done with 2"x1" timber and 1" x 1/2" weldmesh (which I bought online from Hills of Devon).
My design was intended to allow 2 people to lift and move around but in practice I haven't done that very often.
It took me a while to do, but considering I can't even saw straight I'm pretty chuffed with the result 
Hope you can find an affordable solution.
BG

[Sassy]

Sounds to me like you have been very fair. What's important is that you care and are committed to doing your best for them. There are likely to be chicken keepers out there who can let them free range but do not attend to their other needs!