Hi i'm new to chickens and im getting ready to build a run and have no idea where to start. Im looking to build the run out of wood and use the wire chicken fenceing to close it off. Can anyone tell me the size of the wood to use to make the frame? and if its best to screw it together or nail it? Or if anyone has any plans they can share id be so greatful thanks so much.
? Help with a run
- Thread starter dr8goons
- Start date
- Apr 15, 2008
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Something to consider, if you have predators of any kind, the chicken wire fencing will keep almost no predators out. Half-inch hardware cloth would be better. There are lots of coops and runs on the coop design page.
chicken wire does not keep out raccoons from what I've been hearing but it works great for a run during the day (when hawks are your main predator or the meandering mut
as long as they go up at night in a secure coop.
We just built a run yesterday. Check out the pics on my post -The Corrolla on this page. We got pressure treated 2x4's then split them long ways to make 2x2x8 ft. long. We made ours short cause we don't have to get in there. (2 ft high) If you need to get in there to clean or something plan on at least 5ft. We used deck screws to secure it together. We also planned the spaces in between the studs to be exactly 3 ft. (the height of our chicken wire -pretty important cause cutting that crap can get pretty tiring on the hands)
Pretty much just make a box (the top) add legs every few feet or so (how long is up to you) then add the bottom (we cut the bottom lengths to fit in between the legs for more support).
We just stapled the wire to the frame. we overlapped the wire wear we could on the joints to add a little more support.
Good Luck and don't forget to post pics when your done.
as long as they go up at night in a secure coop. We just built a run yesterday. Check out the pics on my post -The Corrolla on this page. We got pressure treated 2x4's then split them long ways to make 2x2x8 ft. long. We made ours short cause we don't have to get in there. (2 ft high) If you need to get in there to clean or something plan on at least 5ft. We used deck screws to secure it together. We also planned the spaces in between the studs to be exactly 3 ft. (the height of our chicken wire -pretty important cause cutting that crap can get pretty tiring on the hands)
Pretty much just make a box (the top) add legs every few feet or so (how long is up to you) then add the bottom (we cut the bottom lengths to fit in between the legs for more support).
We just stapled the wire to the frame. we overlapped the wire wear we could on the joints to add a little more support.
Good Luck and don't forget to post pics when your done.
Here is a better pic of the run. Ours is really small. If your doing a large one, you should probably keep your wood thicker (2x4)
- Apr 12, 2008
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Here is the run that we just finished. It is 16'x20'x6.5', pressure treated wood framed, and 1" poutry wire wrapped. The bottom runner is made of 2x6's, the uprights are 2x4's, and the corner posts are 4x4's. The bracing and center tee are 1x4's. It has a 2 foot outside perimeter on the ground of 2"x4" welded wire, to try and keep the fox, coyote, bobcat, and coon out. Hardware was hot galvanized nails, wire staples, and a few wood screws. Hope this helps.
And temporary quarters will have to do until we get the coop built.
And temporary quarters will have to do until we get the coop built.
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Ms. Kitty, can you explain what you mean about the perimeter of wire? Is that buried, or...?
I'm trying to get my head around what I'll need to do to secure my run; I'm using the side of our house as one side of the run, and two other sides will consist of our wooden property fence, which is not terribly secure.
I'm trying to get my head around what I'll need to do to secure my run; I'm using the side of our house as one side of the run, and two other sides will consist of our wooden property fence, which is not terribly secure.
Chicken wire will NOT keep many predators out .. it is used only to keep chickens in.
So, using hardware cloth will keep pretty much all predators out (maybe not bears) but it's very expensive so most people can't use it around their whole area.
You next best bet is to go with 2x4 welded wire and then use 1" chicken wire around the base of that running up the side two feet and down into the ground (buried) at least 15 inches.
Use solid wood posts (4x4's are best) set approximately every 8 feet apart. Use 2x4's running horizontal at the top to attach the top of the wire to.
Here's a picture of adding the chicken wire around the bottom - if you can see it.
And here's an overall view...
P.S. The "watch cat" does not come standard with all chicken runs.
So, using hardware cloth will keep pretty much all predators out (maybe not bears) but it's very expensive so most people can't use it around their whole area.
You next best bet is to go with 2x4 welded wire and then use 1" chicken wire around the base of that running up the side two feet and down into the ground (buried) at least 15 inches.
Use solid wood posts (4x4's are best) set approximately every 8 feet apart. Use 2x4's running horizontal at the top to attach the top of the wire to.
Here's a picture of adding the chicken wire around the bottom - if you can see it.
And here's an overall view...
P.S. The "watch cat" does not come standard with all chicken runs.
- Apr 12, 2008
- 28
- 1
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My husband did not bury the wire. It is flat on the ground/grass, nailed to the 2x6 runner, and spiked down 24" out. He says the grass will encompass it, matting all as one. Buried wire would not last very long in our soil.
He also said that if a critter did dig down deep enough to get thier body through, for a full 2 plus feet, they deserved a snack.
He tries to be smartie sometimes!
He also said that if a critter did dig down deep enough to get thier body through, for a full 2 plus feet, they deserved a snack.
Ms. Kitty :
Here is the run that we just finished. It is 16'x20'x6.5', pressure treated wood framed, and 1" poutry wire wrapped. The bottom runner is made of 2x6's, the uprights are 2x4's, and the corner posts are 4x4's. The bracing and center tee are 1x4's. It has a 2 foot outside perimeter on the ground of 2"x4" welded wire, to try and keep the fox, coyote, bobcat, and coon out. Hardware was hot galvanized nails, and a few wood screws. Hope this helps.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000706.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000698.jpg
And temporary quarters will have to do until we get the coop built.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000719.jpg
How tall is your run? How many chickens do you have? You run looks great, it's just like I want my DH to make mine, but that probley won't happen! Maybe...
Here is the run that we just finished. It is 16'x20'x6.5', pressure treated wood framed, and 1" poutry wire wrapped. The bottom runner is made of 2x6's, the uprights are 2x4's, and the corner posts are 4x4's. The bracing and center tee are 1x4's. It has a 2 foot outside perimeter on the ground of 2"x4" welded wire, to try and keep the fox, coyote, bobcat, and coon out. Hardware was hot galvanized nails, and a few wood screws. Hope this helps.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000706.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000698.jpg
And temporary quarters will have to do until we get the coop built.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/jawjaboy/IM000719.jpg
How tall is your run? How many chickens do you have? You run looks great, it's just like I want my DH to make mine, but that probley won't happen! Maybe...
I hear continually the blanket statement that 'chicken wire is meant to keep the chickens in, not predators out'. Well, it depends on the GAUGE of the wire. If the chicken wire is a 22 GAUGE, then yes it can probably be torn apart. If the wire is a 20 GAUGE 1" hexagon, I'm not so sure.
The heaviest GAUGE for 1" hardware cloth that I could find is a 19 GAUGE. Not that much difference than the 20 GAUGE; and the chicken wire is twisted into hexagons which adds to the stability. Some of the hardware cloth is a much lighter GAUGE, also. I am sure that wouldn't hold up at all against predators.
If someone has her/his own story to tell about raccoons ripping chicken wire apart, I'd like to hear it. But it's important to know what the GAUGE of the chicken wire was.
Carla
BTW, I think your run is marvelous, Kitty. Your chickens must be in seventh heaven!
The heaviest GAUGE for 1" hardware cloth that I could find is a 19 GAUGE. Not that much difference than the 20 GAUGE; and the chicken wire is twisted into hexagons which adds to the stability. Some of the hardware cloth is a much lighter GAUGE, also. I am sure that wouldn't hold up at all against predators.
If someone has her/his own story to tell about raccoons ripping chicken wire apart, I'd like to hear it. But it's important to know what the GAUGE of the chicken wire was.
Carla
BTW, I think your run is marvelous, Kitty. Your chickens must be in seventh heaven!
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