Adding Run to Open Air Coop

[mrybells]

I have 4 chickens who enjoy this fenced in area throughout the day. They also have supervised free range time in the morning and before dark. The fenced in area is just stakes with chicken wire and bird netting over the top. It works but its not ideal. I was thinking of building a run and attaching it to the back of the coop, making a small door that I can open daily for them to access it. As long as the door was predator proof I don't think I would need the new run to be since they would just use it during the day. No predators during the day besides hawks. Below is the back of my coop and I also added a picture of the type of run I am thinking of attaching to the back. It would be around 4 ft and extend longer then the one I currently have. I have a few questions and I would love feedback from others.

1. Is it worth doing something like this or should I just buy a no dig fence from lowes and use that, I would still have to use the bird netting for the top.
2. Any other good ideas so my girls can have extra space during the day safe from predators when i am not around?



test

 

[irish44395]

I would just open it up without a door and put a predator apron around it . Kind of thinking of doing something similar
Pete

 

[Rldad1]

Make sure you can predator proof it. You are in Ga. and have all kinds of predators including foxes and coyotes during the day. You just don't see them. All of them can get through chicken wire.

 

[aart]

I also added a picture of the type of run I am thinking of attaching to the back.

Not tall enough for you to get into could be a problem, if there's a problem.

 

[mcdze]

yeah, if your going to buy wood and build it i'd make it walkin .. the difference in cost would be negligible .. that one in the pic probably weighs several hundred pounds, not like your going to be moving it on a regular basis without 6 guys ... im sure you could save alittle money on wire by using 1" chicken wire instead of the hardware cloth ... for an alternate idea, i was looking on youtube at people that have used those 16' cattle panels to fabricate the main structure .. would be a cheap alternative to using all wood, youd still need alittle to make a door in the end and install it ...in the pic, think 'chicken wire' instead of the plastic .. thats the idea ..