I agree Lee but walking down the road is also a riskI've not kept them but friends have it can be hard work and you do lose a few to foxes no matter how hard to try to keep them out and disease is a problem but it is a joy to have them and your own fresh eggs
Then we both have the same dream mate, a small holding with animals plus a donkey sanctuary is what I've always wantedI would have liked to have keep livestock on a farm.
Its great to read of your dreams and in the fullness of time those dreams WILL happen, I wish you all the best for the futureBecky my fiancé and I have dreamt about having a life in the country side and at times it has seemed cliche but having built a relationship on 9 years of time apart filling the border of life we have managed to get our foot in the door and find a place where we can build a life together develop our self reliance skills, bushcraft and animal husbandry. Becky has just enjoyed our first courgettes for dinner and we are looking at building our fury gang to include chickens. I hope the story will be a long and full of happiness. It's great to share our story with you guys and enjoy the benefit of your experience. The forum is an awesome platform and I am hope those that invest their time reap the reward that comes from investing in our community.
Mine were red Sussex, wonderful layers and not to fussy about what they ate, unfortunately a wild mink got into my henhouse and killed the lot so there's a lesson, you might make the run fox proof but mink are a different propositionI know I'm a little late to this party but chicken wire will not keep a determined fox or badger out of the run, however the hens should be fine if you drop the door on the pop hole well before dusk.
For eating I would go for the heavy White Cornish, for eggs I would choose Warren hybrids. They're both friendly placid breeds that get on well even with the disparity in size so they can be kept together.