20+ Chicken Run

[CHlCKEN]

I’ve been exploring the internet in search of a good set of 20+ Chicken *run* plans. I would love it if anyone could link me to good 20+ chicken *run* plans, as the internet has only found me coop plans.

 

[3KillerBs]

For 20 chickens you'll be wanting 200 square feet. Unless you're putting a roof on it, it's more fencing than building.

Since I'm wanting a roof I'm looking at trying to find a used, 1-car, metal carport to attach the hardware cloth to. At this large size, consider carport plans then adapting them for wire.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

As @3KillerBs said, plans for a run vary dramatically based on whether or no you need a hard roof. The other things to consider are whether the run is going to be attached to the coop (as in the case with most "shed"-like coop designs), or if the run is to entirely contain the coop, which is more typical of raised coop designs, of whatever size. Since those considerations will determine, to great extent, the width of your coop, which then determines how the roof (if there is one) needs to be structured.

Then there's cost.

At simplest, you could make a hoop coop, about 8' wide, consisting of 7 cattle panels wired together, about 28' long, with another cattle panel cut up to make either end, hardware cloth attached to either side for predators, and a tarp tied down over some length for rain considerations (as desired). But for anything much bigger than that, or dealing with significant snow loads, etc, some serious framing will be involved, either timber (like a shed) or metal truss and timber (like a pole barn).

[Edited to fix bad math. not sure why I had the panels being only 26"tall in my mind, instead of 50". I blame a lack of coffee.]

 

[CHlCKEN]

Thanks for helping. I would prefer a covered run (run with roof) and I will take your advice with me as I continue to explore this. The possibility of building a run is still in the air so I’m going to research it before I dive in. I like your suggestions so thank you!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Of course. We are here to help (and be helped), in accordance with our needs, experience, and interests.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for helping. I would prefer a covered run (run with roof) and I will take your advice with me as I continue to explore this. The possibility of building a run is still in the air so I’m going to research it before I dive in. I like your suggestions so thank you!

Is your space long and thin or more square?

You can get about 200 square feet as 10'x20', 15'x15', 8'x25', or even 6'x34' (narrower than 6 feet can risk bullying issues by not giving subordinate chickens room to respectfully pass dominant ones). You can wrap it around an L-shape if you need to.

Single-car carports are generally about 12'x20" -- 240 square feet so that's the size to look for plans if you want to go that route.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I really love the carport idea. Kinda wish I'd gone that route with my build. If I ever move and need to make a new set up, definitely going to look into that as an option.

 

[3KillerBs]

I really love the carport idea. Kinda wish I'd gone that route with my build. If I ever move and need to make a new set up, definitely going to look into that as an option.

Unfortunately, my SIL won't let me have the single-car carport that came with this property we share.

She wants to keep her car in it instead of letting me raise chickens in it -- can you imagine?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately, my SIL won't let me have the single-car carport that came with this property we share.

She wants to keep her car in it instead of letting me raise chickens in it -- can you imagine?

I'm spoiled and have always had a garage (one that actually holds cars, not junk ), so never considered looking at carports. It never occurred to me that it was an option until I saw someone post theirs on here, and it really looks like a good base structure to work with for a run.

Plus given what my current run cost me, a carport is cheaper/about the same cost, and would provide a solid roof (which I don't have), and I could DIY most of it myself I think (saving on labor costs).

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm spoiled and have always had a garage (one that actually holds cars, not junk ), so never considered looking at carports. It never occurred to me that it was an option until I saw someone post theirs on here, and it really looks like a good base structure to work with for a run.

Plus given what my current run cost me, a carport is cheaper/about the same cost, and would provide a solid roof (which I don't have), and I could DIY most of it myself I think (saving on labor costs).

My first thought with it was that since the posts are all metal it would be proof against the termites, carpenter ants, and wood-destroying microorganisms that erode even pressure-treated wood in a remarkably short time in this climate.