A few basic questions

[KyCoop]

I would move the chicken (pop) door away from the outside wall of the run. It's been my experience that if a predator attacks the run and the chickens are trying to get to the safety of the coop, their line of escape is cut off if the door is too close to the danger.
Also, if you think you might have a drainage problem in your run, go ahead and put in a French drain before your faced with a flooded run and you trying to put one in with the chickens "helping". Yep, that happened.

 

[3KillerBs]

In re: transporting cattle panels and other such things -- if you own a pickup truck you will always have friends.

 

[cavemanrich]

I wish hoop coops were feasible for me, but I've checked major hardware stores within ~30 miles of me and they simply don't stock cattle panels!

An alternative to cattle panels would be concrete reinforcement sheets available at Home Depot, and other Centers. They are smaller, but can be attached together to desired size.

Just an IDEA to consider ,,,,,,, and easier to haul home.
Another Center sells slightly larger. 4 x 8 for just slightly higher $$$

 

[aart]

Just an IDEA to consider

Keep in mind tho, that why will not be as stiff and strong as livestock panels.
The wires used are about half the diameter.

 

[Ted Brown]

Keep in mind tho, that why will not be as stiff and strong as livestock panels.
The wires used are about half the diameter.

They will also crease at the seams where they are joined so would require a form of some description in order to curve properly.

 

[michellebee]

Thank you all. I'm back to the drawing board with this great input.

In fact, I might change my plan entirely as I've scouted a new corner of the yard that might work a bit better for them (well, at least me, I think)

The new spot is in a shady corner of a big pine tree and adjacent to a potentially nice long 50' run behind a hedge row, conveniently with one 6' concrete wall already built.

For those still with me, a question about this new idea:

Is a 3' width x 50' long run a strange dimension run for 8 chickens? I wonder how many will get to the end, or am I underestimating chickens' curiosity?
Any cautions about the general idea of running wire all behind the shrubs as pictured? I figure the shrubs might also provide a nice layer of visual obscuring from both aerial and ground predators (though of course it would still be enclosed by wire). This is also right outside our kitchen window / front door, and we've never spotted critters in this corner of yard *during the day*.

Here's a pic of the space.


The original plan of building the 6' x 26' structure is still a possibility, but this just occurred to me as a convenient way to save *some* materials with one solid wall already built.

 

[aart]

Is a 3' width x 50' long run a strange dimension run for 8 chickens?

3' is too narrow for subordinate birds to get by dominant birds.
Are the bushes on your property line?

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you all. I'm back to the drawing board with this great input.

In fact, I might change my plan entirely as I've scouted a new corner of the yard that might work a bit better for them (well, at least me, I think)

The new spot is in a shady corner of a big pine tree and adjacent to a potentially nice long 50' run behind a hedge row, conveniently with one 6' concrete wall already built.

For those still with me, a question about this new idea:

Is a 3' width x 50' long run a strange dimension run for 8 chickens? I wonder how many will get to the end, or am I underestimating chickens' curiosity?
Any cautions about the general idea of running wire all behind the shrubs as pictured? I figure the shrubs might also provide a nice layer of visual obscuring from both aerial and ground predators (though of course it would still be enclosed by wire). This is also right outside our kitchen window / front door, and we've never spotted critters in this corner of yard *during the day*.

Here's a pic of the space.

View attachment 2484232
The original plan of building the 6' x 26' structure is still a possibility, but this just occurred to me as a convenient way to save *some* materials with one solid wall already built.

They will for sure use the full 50’. In fact they will race to the end just because! If you enter with treats at the far end they will come barreling towards you.
I imagine you will have feeders and waterers at one end otherwise it might be difficult for you to access.

 

[Ted Brown]

This is somewhat outside my wheelhouse but I will offer my opinions nonetheless.

First and most important is suit yourself as a priority, chickens are an everyday thing and you being content with the setup will help,

Others with more experience will chime in but chickens are pretty small creatures and 3' is ample for 2 to "pass in the night". The 50' will provide a lot of variety and twice the footprint you need for 8 birds. You are underestimating their curiosity, they will love exploring. Don't forget "toys" that will provide distractions and activities.

Some considerations:

1. Dropping are green from a compost perspective, high in nitrogen. This can be problematic from the hedge shrubs if not balanced with a proper ratio of browns. I recommend trying DLM ( deep litter method) as it will provide the necessary balance and the shrubs will love you for it. PS Gardeners call chicken manure "Black Gold".
2. Obviously make sure that the coop is at one end and that you have easy access to it that does not involve going through the run area so that cleaning is easy.
3. Saving money by using the cement wall to minimize building materials is a great bonus. Check what the foundation of the wall is and consider whether predators can dig under to get into the run area. Perhaps you could install an apron of HC on the other side?
4. My chickens love sitting in the sun, is there an area where the sun penetrates? If not can you remove/thin some of the shrubs to allow the sun in?
5. Pine needles make great bedding materials. No doubt they will drop through into the run so a bonus. But they will probably also get hung up on the HC roof and mean a maintenance job to keep it clear. A fall consideration only and a blower would probably make this easy(?).

Overall I think it is a good idea.

 

[michellebee]

3' is too narrow for subordinate birds to get by dominant birds.
Are the bushes on your property line?

Thank you. How is 4’ ? I rounded down to 3’ when measuring, but with some pruning of the bottom branches of the hedges it would be closer to 4’.

And yes, they are. Well, I suppose the concrete wall is in fact the property line.