Advice for Building a Small Run?

[Aunt Angus]

Thats right: a *small* run.

I converted this dog house into a coop by adding about 4 sq ft of ventilation, a pop door, and a wall that opens for easy cleaning.

It will go in what used to be a flower bed but was torn up to create a rock scape (drought!) and became a home to these lovely weeds. The coop will fit in the corner, leaving an area of 3.5' x 10'. It is surrounded on all sides by pavers, which will help prevent digging predators.

This coop is for 2 Polish chickens that have special needs and must be kept separate from my main flock. As such, the coop will not be raised. It will sit on pavers.

Here's what would be ideal:

• It would attach to the FRONT of the dog house coop
• It would be a short run - 3 to 3.5 ft tall
• It would be sturdy enough to withstand a predator (most likely a raccoon, fox, or skunk) jumping on it

I have tons of short t-posts and u-posts and 1/4 in hardware cloth in the workshop. I was considering 2 options:

1. Create a frame with t-posts/u-posts to support hardware cloth walls; make the roof using more hardware cloth.
2. Use a frame of t-posts/u-posts, and hog panels for walls; add a roof of hardware cloth; add hardware cloth on sides

Obviously, it would cut costs if I forego the hog panels, but I'm not sure the hardware cloth will provide enough structure. Hope that makes sense.

So... would hardware cloth supported by posts be sturdy enough? Or should I opt for hog panels?

 

[BarnyardChaos]

I'm trying to imagine the strength of hardware cloth held by T- or U-posts, and if you space them fairly close (3-feet apart?), it should be fine. But I'm having trouble imagining what goes across the bottom and tops of each panel..... will you add some pipe for horizontal strength, perhaps? Need to secure all four edges of the hardware cloth, sides and top.
Cute coop, by the way!

 

[Brooks_]

I vote panel.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Panel it is! Thanks!

I have to finish the pop door, and then the coop will be done. The girls NEED to go outside. They need the room, the sunshine, and the stimulation, and we need our livingroom back!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Haven't been very productive in this stupid heat, but I'm back at it.

One more question:

How many t-posts per 8' hog panel? 3? 4?

TIA! I'm in the home stretch now!

 

[Aunt Angus]

It's been done for weeks, but I am just now getting around to an update - lol. And these pics are before the birds and all their gear were in it.

I tried the panels, but decided against it. Instead, it's 2x4s and hardware cloth. The whole run opens for access. It's only 32 sq ft of run for now, but I'm in the process of adding a second run coming out from the side of the dog house coop that will be approx the same size.