Need Ideas for a Supplemental Run

TXCHICKENFAMILY · Mar 7, 2016

We are currently using this chicken tractor for our four birds (2 RIR and 2 Gold Sex Links). We are moving it every other day to keep the grass alive and give them access to new bugs and such. They seem really happy, however I am toying with the idea of creating an supplemental/portable run that I can hookup to the tractor door to give them more room for foraging. Does anyone have any recommendations on what materials to use to build this so it is light enough to move but wont fall apart? Links to designs or examples would be great. Thanks!

marktoo · Mar 7, 2016

3' x 6' When not in use for the chickens it can be used in the garden for shade or frost protection.

machinfarm · Mar 7, 2016

I do! We did the same thing, had a tractor and then decided they needed even more room. What we did, because we already had them on hand, was attached 16' hog panels to the sides and used bungee cords to attach one 8' at the end, so they had their tractor and then a 16x8 foot run.
It was all very mobile still, I'd just unhook the bungees, move the tractor, and then hook them all back up, and of course I only had to move them weekly at that point.
We had fat old meat birds at the time so no one tried to fly over, but we later kept this set up and had to extend the hog panels upward using stakes and parachute cord, and then just stretched cheap bird netting over the top when one rooster STILL insisted on getting out.

The other thing is the only way to get into the coop with this method is stepping right over the hog panel, works fine if you're tall like I am, but when I had my mom watching our birds while we were on vacation, she had to use a stool on either side of the fence to climb over, lol.

Tammywynn · Mar 7, 2016

Just a question I seen from rain and now from our winter my chickens run root isn't looking to great and I had small wood chips in there for them because my grass died and turned into a be mud put what do you think is the best stuff to use or what can I do to help with this issue? I even tried traps over the top of the run but it still really didn't help out at all and when the mud froze to it was just a huge mess

machinfarm · Mar 7, 2016

Tammywynn said:
Just a question I seen from rain and now from our winter my chickens run root isn't looking to great and I had small wood chips in there for them because my grass died and turned into a be mud put what do you think is the best stuff to use or what can I do to help with this issue? I even tried traps over the top of the run but it still really didn't help out at all and when the mud froze to it was just a huge mess

I use a deep litter in my chicken's run and coops now and it works great. Essentially I put everything I can in there: leaves, grass clippings, saw dust (non treated wood only), wood ashes, alfalfa, straw, anything. They love to scratch in it and as it decomposes (which happens quickly after each rain) I just throw more on top and they spread it out. Because it is actively composting there are bugs/worms in it that they love to eat and I can scoop it all out and use it in my garden and start over again.
When it rains they no longer get muddy because they aren't on dirt.

Here you can see their deep litter and some fresh grass clippings I threw in. They had it all spread out just as evenly as I could have done myself within an hour, ate all the good bits and the rest turns into compost.

Tammywynn · Mar 7, 2016

machinfarm said:
I use a deep litter in my chicken's run and coops now and it works great. Essentially I put everything I can in there: leaves, grass clippings, saw dust (non treated wood only), wood ashes, alfalfa, straw, anything. They love to scratch in it and as it decomposes (which happens quickly after each rain) I just throw more on top and they spread it out. Because it is actively composting there are bugs/worms in it that they love to eat and I can scoop it all out and use it in my garden and start over again.
When it rains they no longer get muddy because they aren't on dirt.

Here you can see their deep litter and some fresh grass clippings I threw in. They had it all spread out just as evenly as I could have done myself within an hour, ate all the good bits and the rest turns into compost.

Tammywynn · Mar 7, 2016

Thank you so much for replying and I will for sure try that. I'm still new at raising chickens and learning as I go,I spend a lot of time reading up on them and finding out more on what best for them and how to care for them better as they get older.I wouldn't have chickens and a rooster if my daughter didnt hatch them in school for a science class, but I became to love them and are now a huge part of my family lol. Well thank you again very much

andrea2chicken · Mar 7, 2016

I love this idea now do you move it by hand or hook to a tractor reason I ask is I need something like this especially when the rain comes

TXCHICKENFAMILY · Mar 8, 2016

andrea2chicken said:
I love this idea now do you move it by hand or hook to a tractor reason I ask is I need something like this especially when the rain comes

I'm not sure who your question is directed to, but I move my chicken tractor by hand. I will do the same with the extra run I build as well. I just hope it gives me more than a few days between moves. Moving everyday is starting to get a little old. ;-)

aart · Mar 9, 2016

TXCHICKENFAMILY said:
We are currently using this chicken tractor for our four birds (2 RIR and 2 Gold Sex Links). We are moving it every other day to keep the grass alive and give them access to new bugs and such. They seem really happy, however I am toying with the idea of creating an supplemental/portable run that I can hookup to the tractor door to give them more room for foraging. Does anyone have any recommendations on what materials to use to build this so it is light enough to move but wont fall apart? Links to designs or examples would be great. Thanks!

Portable poultry netting with double step in posts from premier1, can be electrified or not.

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