Hi - I'm new to chickens but have wanted to keep them for close to 20 years. I've been through similar concerns over the years and finally came to the conclusion it's all about compromise. I now have mine in a run as fox proof as I can reasonably make it, without the colditz look - and an extension run that I use when I'm pottering in the garden - fortunately I don't work so have plenty of time for pottering! I bought a chicken house, but have put on a Bob-the-Builder hat to make the runs.
I do shut them up at night, but sometimes it's late..... I rarley let them out before 7.30/8, and then it's plodding down the garden in my dressing gown. I know in the summer with early sunrise I'll need to make that earlier, but figure that's the price for keeping the girls I've wanted for so long. I can always go back to bed again after
![happy :)](https://chat.allotment-garden.org/Smileys/green/smile.gif)
I have 3 or 4 friendly neighbours that I'm already bribinig with eggs for when the time comes that I'm away. One has kept chooks in the past but can't now - the others love the thought of eggs. And I do a bit of dog walking for them so can call in favours!
To my mind, nothing in this world is free - the price I pay is getting up a bit earlier and maybe not going away quite as much; the price my girls pay is a little less freedom for a bit more safety!
Hang on in there and I'm sure you'll find that happy compromise. Don't give up too easily, otherwise you'll end up waiting 20 years as I did - think of all that wasted time without the pleasure. I love 'em to bits!
BG