Sounds like another good idea to convert a rabbit hutch, I should have a chat with our bunnies what they think about it...
![tongue2 :tongue2:](https://chat.allotment-garden.org/Smileys/green/tongue2.gif)
Well, anyway, I have thrown all my plans away and completely decided to get a commercial large chicken coop with a small run for my birds. The coop itself will have (only) 0.7sqm but should be enough for 3 hens. It, to me, has the advantage which I hardly ever saw in a commercial coop, that the perches are higher than the nest boxes. For the included run, this way they have a small run completely secure immediately and can come out in the morning whenever they feel to, but will have access to the bigger run when I release them into it, as I need to think of the best way to cover a run on top, still being flexible, but enabling me to stand up inside (any ideas?
![unsure :unsure:](https://chat.allotment-garden.org/Smileys/green/unsure.gif)
).
Besides the run they will be allowed to free range in the garden as long as I am at home. It happens that somehow the kitchen, that faces the garden, seems to be my main home so they will be supervised all the time
![biggrin :D](https://chat.allotment-garden.org/Smileys/green/biggrin.gif)
I thought a lot about letting them share the run with the rabbits but since I read that a hen took advantage of a rabbits place and pecked the rabbits eye I changed my mind about this. I love my pets and don't want either one to get hurt "intentionally" for me knowing about the risks.
However, for the free ranging, how long should I wait after bringing the hens home, before I let them come out into the garden?
And as our fence has two parts broken which I finally closed myself with a mesh wire fence (100cm height), (unfortunately, our landlord doesn't saw the necessity to fix it though we were told it will be fixed before we even moved in...), I wonder, if this is heigh enough for them not to get over the fence or if I should but another part on top?
How about the backyard gate, what height will they manage to escape underneath? I don't think they can get under as the dwarf rabbits never did, but as I don't have any experience with chickens yet...
Thanks
Neelam