We have a chicken wire fence around our coop. We've added a chicken wire roof because we have a dog who would dearly love to eat the chickens (or shake them to death) and they like to try to fly off the top of the coop. You can clip the feathers on one wing, but if you do that, they can relearn how to fly and then if they do get out, they can't fly fast enough to escape their predator.
What bedding will you use? I use Nedz Bed which is chopped straw. It's really absorbant, so easy to clean out and there is absolutely no smell from the coop, even when it's due for a clean.
You will need something to treat the coop for mites - it's far better to prevent it rather than cure it. I use Diatomaceous Earth. You can get a 1kg tub (which will last an age) and a 100gm puffer bottle. I use the puffer bottle and refill it. You just puff the powder into the coop - all the nooks and crannies. You can also puff it directly onto the chickens and rub it into their feathers, puff it into their dust bath and mix it into their feed with a 2% concentration.
Cider Vinegar can be added to their water to keep them in good condition - 20ml per litre of water. You don't have to use it all the time - lots of people do it one week in every four.
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=CCWR_P2D9UfvhNYe5-QbXnYDoDMGHsbEDqZS5rW2o4LuORAgFEAEoBVDT7djt_f____8BYLv-xIPQCqABt4m4_APIAQepAmtgZnlJpbk-qgQnT9AQZCCxIkiufeXFruD8Rcf6acg9vbkwvHND6J1rtCf0apcxYOLwugUTCJ6smK-H4rgCFYJkDgodFkkAZMAFBcoFAKAGJoAHsfbHA-AS6KDM1vvZm4_7AQ&ei=P2D9Ud6QM4LJOZaSgaAG&sig=AOD64_2pbaEEPWxBGRrbfmmgdkYYyb4IRw&ctype=5&rct=j&q=flubenvet&sqi=2&ved=0CEgQww8&adurl=www.petdrugsonline.co.uk/p-1489-flubenvet-1-medicated-premixture.aspx%3FCAWELAID%3D1927891381%26cagpspn%3Dpla" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flubenvet is a good wormer. It's recommended twice.three times per year. The really good thing about Flubenvet is that there is no withdrawal period from eggs consumption - you can keep eating them while treating.
They love a treat of corn and mealworms. A little sprinkle in the afternoon is nice. Don't give them any in the morning, or they'll fill up on it and then they won't eat their food.
Food wise, layers pellets have all their nutritional needs, but they'll also need something with calcium in it for their egg shells and some grit. I was using hen grit and oyster shell, but I've just switched to a combined grit. You can either mix some in with their feed, or supply it in a separate container for them to eat.
Check for eggs regularly - if you leave them too long they start to eat them. They often give a 'call' when they're laying. It's so sweet!
Chickens can't see in the dark, so they will put themselves to bed at dusk. It took mine a while to get the hang of it, so I had to help them into bed for a while. You'll need to shut them in at night or Mr Fox will come and eat them.
Keep their food secure; either tie the bag or use a lidded container - rodents love it.
Enjoy them!