Chain link runs? Pros and Cons? - Page 3

In our case, the metal roof was hand built by my father-in-law for his granddaughter  out of some aluminum sheet roofing that was literally lying around (our property came with a lot of spare parts), leftover fencing, and some metal pipe and some metal conduit. It's a pretty simple design. I'd be happy to take more pictures for anyone needing a better look at construction details.

 

If you just do a simple shed roof rather than a peaked roof, it's even simpler to build. There are many suppliers who make simple metal roof structures or kits meant for use in horse or other livestock shelters.

This is what we have for our chickens, an old dog run. I have actually in past pre-chickens used it for young ducklings.

 

Pro's? heavy, we are an area prone to high winds(in others words highly destructive)they have massive height, so great for a bit of flight, you can expand them fairly easily. The chain link is strong, they can be moved it's not easy but we've moved ours quite a bit in the years we had it.

 

Con's? the chain link is large, so you must downsize it at least on the first 2/3ft, you'll also have to protect/close the top to keep predators out, you also have to watch for digging around the parameter.

 

Anyways, i really like ours... we kept it dirt floor so the girls can dig(which they do, really well ) added tree branches to mimic trees, stumps.. they even have a wooden box to lay/shelter in. Ours is wired for the first 3ft and we enclosed the top with wooden lattice and more wire.. so it's solid, plus we have shade cloth for summers heat, around the bottom has been protected with heavy rocks to deter digging from predators.

 

I will add though, this is a daytime run, the girls are moved into a coop for night time.

Edited by Going Quackers - 1/29/13 at 12:28pm

I have a couple of dog kennels with coops inside. My main daytime predators are raptors, and the chickens are shut up at night. So the chain link is more than adequate. My runs are covered with tarps attached with zip ties. Each has a couple of poles (cut from my yard) a foot taller than the sides. This allows for rain to run off. If we get heavy wet snow, I have to rake it off, but snow is rare here. In the fall I rake off heavy wet leaves. So far it has worked well for me.

We used chain link buried about 8 in into the ground n the used chicken wire from top of the coop to the ground. For the top we used corrugated wavy plastic ( heavy plastic) that we over lapped. I also chose the tinted type so the heat wouldn't be as bad. So far so good. Our area has tons of birds and it's a bird sanctuary so there's not alot we can legally do. That's why we enclosed it 100%. Was a lil more expense but they can go out n BR safe. Hope that helps n good luck!

Thanks, Noah. : ) I love having such a simply setup, but yet it looks nice and neat. Plus it's easy to move around, and can be expand or made into a new pen all together!

 

~ Aspen

I have enough dog kennel sections to make a run of 12x18 feet with 1 gate section.  I am thinking of using this for chickens as I don't need it for dogs, I fenced in my entire yard for the dogs, my concern with the kennel is it is the older style 6x6 and 6x12 panels where the corners of each section are bent in an  arc rather than welded straight like many of the new style kennels I see, this area at the bottom corner of each section as well as under the door is somewhat of a large gap, it will have to be addressed.  I do like the idea of the kennel being modular and expandable as I am likely to outgrow my current kennel in short order.

 

I live in the big woods of Northern Wisconsin and have all manner of predator, if you can think of it, it's most likely here.  We don't have than many coon as we aren't a farm area and not a large human population but fox, coyote, birds, and weasels are a problem.  The birds and weasels are my main concern, even with hardware cloth 2 or 3 feet up the sides couldn't a weasel still climb up the cloth and scurry right through the chainlink above?  I am building a secure coop for nighttime but the wife and I are both away all day so if something go in there it could kill at will.

I have 9 dog kennel panels I brought with me to the new house, but my two dogs both passed away within a month of each other ;(.  So, I was looking to use the panels for the chickens (6 baby bantams).  I was considering using a couple of panels to enclose the top and cinch down the edges of the chain link, and a couple underneath for predator protection.  I will also add either chicken wire, or, if I can afford it, hardware (?) cloth around the bottom for extra incentive to keep the neighboring dogs from getting in.  

 

Not having had chickens before, my biggest concern is the couple of panels underneath.  Can predators still get through those by digging?  Should I still have an apron of chicken wire?  Will it cause problems for the chickens if they walk on the wire all the time?  

 

I am planning on this being potentially movable, but in reality, I doubt it will be going anywhere soon.

We're using dog pen panels but are going to double wrap the sides and hoop, with chicken Wire. we plan on staggering it a second time around the sides. I have started posting pics of our coop. Have a look. I'll post more pics as more is done. We should have it done this weekend, for the most part.

Thanks!  I'll keep an eye on the pics and see how it's done.  Your coop looks wonderful so far!