Idea's for a new run on an old coop please

simple smiths

In the Brooder
Jan 14, 2017
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Ok, so the chicks are in and comfy! So now it's onto a run :D

9 chicks in a 1930's 200hen coop. The old run is no more, would like some insight into a new design. Am thinking a wood floor for cleaning, and covered of course. Here are some pics of what we're working with.

I am thinking a wood run, 24" wide, that will go 20' the length of the rear of the coop.

OR

Just make a 4'x8' outdoor cage...





 
I would make the run as large as you can...4x8' seems small for 9 birds. If you leave the floor bare (instead of a wood floor), they'll enjoy scratching and digging holes in the dirt. A dirt floor will be easier for you to clean too...you can just rake it as needed. You can put a "skirt" of hardware cloth around the edges of the run to keep predators out. And the cover you mention is a good idea to protect your birds from overhead predators.
 
Well, I'm picturing an injured or sick hen deciding that the best place to hunker down is at the far end of a 24"x20' run and the pain in the neck that would be to have to get her out.

I'm also thinking that rain runoff from the roof is going to dump right into any run you put on the back unless you install a gutter to divert it away.

I also think that 4'x8' is awful small for 9 chickens. Even with a huge coop, they are going to spend much of their time in the run. It will be more difficult to manage their waste if it's concentrated in a small area than a large one.

Also, given the size of your coop, expanding the flock would be easy. If you are like most, you will likely suffer the effects of "chicken math" and get more birds. It would be wise to build bigger rather than regret a small run later.

Were you planning on roofing all or part of the run? Availability of materials and construction considerations may be a factor in deciding dimensions.

Am I correct in assuming that the dog is looking into a plexiglass covered opening that you cut into the back of the coop after you took that last picture?
 
Well, I'm picturing an injured or sick hen deciding that the best place to hunker down is at the far end of a 24"x20' run and the pain in the neck that would be to have to get her out.
I'm also thinking that rain runoff from the roof is going to dump right into any run you put on the back unless you install a gutter to divert it away.
^^^ Thanks for the input

Also, given the size of your coop, expanding the flock would be easy. If you are like most, you will likely suffer the effects of "chicken math" and get more birds. It would be wise to build bigger rather than regret a small run later.
^^^All of the run would be protected from the sun and critters that kill.

Am I correct in assuming that the dog is looking into a plexiglass covered opening that you cut into the back of the coop after you took that last picture?
^^^ Plexiglass yes. Thought sawzawwing a hole after the chicks were in would be scary for them.
 
Perhaps you could make it an L shape going around the side and back in the last picture?

Or you could just have it the 20 feet in back, that should be big enough, but I would not make it 2 feet wide. I would make it something more like 4, 6, or even 8 feet wide. 2 feet won't be wide enough and will be hard to clean. And I agree, leave it as grass so they can scratch around.

And chicken math is when you say you're only getting a certain number of chickens but then you want this breed or that breed or think that one would be nice and inevitably add on to your flock and before you know it you have a whole farm full :p happens to the best of us lol

For example, I got my first birds last fall, 8 of them, and I am already thinking of adding more breeds, wanted to even when I had just gotten mine, and am also thinking of adding ducks now
 
You could have quite a spacious run that isn't expensive, easy to construct and will create more options for your flock keeping life if you would add a cattle panel hooped run to that building. They are very easy to tie into existing wooden structures, are nigh indestructible, are easily adapted to winter or summer needs by using a clear or shade tarp. I'd leave a soil floor and do a nice, deep composting deep litter there....healthier for your chickens, gives them something to do, creates good compost for gardens, trees, flowers, lawns.

Here's one such run that has been utilized with a wooden coop....

 
I just finished a simple run attached to my existing coop. It is 6'h X8'wX12'd and I utilized a simple design for the roof that I found online. I'm still undecided on what sort of substrate to use for ground cover.
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Ok, so the chicks are in and comfy! So now it's onto a run :D

9 chicks in a 1930's 200hen coop. The old run is no more, would like some insight into a new design. Am thinking a wood floor for cleaning, and covered of course. Here are some pics of what we're working with.

I am thinking a wood run, 24" wide, that will go 20' the length of the rear of the coop.
No need for a floor.
24" wide is not very big, I'd triple that to 6 feet.

Livestock panel hoop, as suggested, going straight out from pop door.
 
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