Advice in building a run, using the existing chain link fence. Thanks!

[Britt007]

Hi,
My two gals have a very secure coop and very small attached run and I put them out in another smallish movable run but I would love to figure out a way to use hawk/poultry netting plus the existing chain link fence to create a sort of "lean to" pen. The hope would be that after they've destroyed all my husband's beloved grass, I would move the whole net thing to another part of the backyard along the fence.

The only predators I'm worried about are hawks, at this time. I was looking for a way to attach the netting to the top of the fence, which is about 5 feet high, and then pull it out to attach it to the ground with maybe those push in spikes. This pen would only be used during the day, in a fenced in back yard where my dog (who loves the hens) is often turned out. I could possibly pull the netting over their coop, which is next to the fence, and then they could run in there for protection and to lay some eggs, too. I dunno, I'm just looking for a way to show my gals a good time without putting them at risk. Has anyone done something like this? Thanks so much!

 

[cavemanrich]

I know what you are trying to accomplish. I have a slight concern and a solution as well.
If you did create a lean-to using netting, when your chicken would be at the low end under netting, a hawk could swoop down and grab your chicken thru the netting. Start eating chicken thu the netting.
Here is my suggestion. Create a framework parallel to your fence the desired width of your run. Stretch netting from fence ,,,,, over framework and then attach to ground at about 45 degree angle. This way, chickens have plenty of height to above netting.
You can use whatever material you may have on hand for the frame. Wood, pipes, ext. You may consider these if you plan on moving often to another spot. Pound into ground easily.

Here is link to Homedepot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-3-in-x-7-ft-Green-Steel-U-Fence-Post-901157EB/205960885

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I agree with above. A hawk, or any other predator, could reach through chain link and get your chickens. I have my chickens in what was previously a permanent built dog run. There's a roof with chain link going all the way down to a concrete pad, and then an un-covered area without concrete. I put chicken wire over the chain link, and then created a chicken wire covered area over the non-concrete portion. I've also built another run that attaches to all of this so they had enough room. Anyway, I knew that the chain link wouldn't be enough to keep predators out. Hardware cloth is ideal, but expensive. Chicken wire will do, but get the good stuff.

 

[Britt007]

I know what you are trying to accomplish. I have a slight concern and a solution as well.
If you did create a lean-to using netting, when your chicken would be at the low end under netting, a hawk could swoop down and grab your chicken thru the netting. Start eating chicken thu the netting.
Here is my suggestion. Create a framework parallel to your fence the desired width of your run. Stretch netting from fence ,,,,, over framework and then attach to ground at about 45 degree angle. This way, chickens have plenty of height to above netting.
You can use whatever material you may have on hand for the frame. Wood, pipes, ext. You may consider these if you plan on moving often to another spot. Pound into ground easily.

Here is link to Homedepot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-3-in-x-7-ft-Green-Steel-U-Fence-Post-901157EB/205960885

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I really love your idea. Thank you.

 

[Britt007]

I agree with above. A hawk, or any other predator, could reach through chain link and get your chickens. I have my chickens in what was previously a permanent built dog run. There's a roof with chain link going all the way down to a concrete pad, and then an un-covered area without concrete. I put chicken wire over the chain link, and then created a chicken wire covered area over the non-concrete portion. I've also built another run that attaches to all of this so they had enough room. Anyway, I knew that the chain link wouldn't be enough to keep predators out. Hardware cloth is ideal, but expensive. Chicken wire will do, but get the good stuff.

Thanks so much for your advice. My gals are in a hardware cloth prison at night but I think your idea of adding at least SOME kind of chicken wire over the chain link fence is a good one.

 

[Sueby]

I did something sort of what you are looking to do. I had a corner in the yard that has chain link on one side & a wood fence on another so I wanted to use it to make a little run for the chickens, nothing permanent & only for when I'm out with them (we have hawks).

So I bought some green snow fence for 20 bucks & some 4 foot green t posts for another 20. I had some black deer fence from the garden that I put over it. I zip tied it to the 6 foot chain link fence on the right, stapled it to the back wood fence & then zip tied it down to a wire I ran to the top of all the t posts. It went up really quickly & simply & I'm super happy with it.

I then built a chicken tunnel to it from the coop.

 

[Britt007]

I did something sort of what you are looking to do. I had a corner in the yard that has chain link on one side & a wood fence on another so I wanted to use it to make a little run for the chickens, nothing permanent & only for when I'm out with them (we have hawks).

So I bought some green snow fence for 20 bucks & some 4 foot green t posts for another 20. I had some black deer fence from the garden that I put over it. I zip tied it to the 6 foot chain link fence on the right, stapled it to the back wood fence & then zip tied it down to a wire I ran to the top of all the t posts. It went up really quickly & simply & I'm super happy with it.

I then built a chicken tunnel to it from the coop.

Thanks, Sueby, That looks really cool. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Britt007]

I know what you are trying to accomplish. I have a slight concern and a solution as well.
If you did create a lean-to using netting, when your chicken would be at the low end under netting, a hawk could swoop down and grab your chicken thru the netting. Start eating chicken thu the netting.
Here is my suggestion. Create a framework parallel to your fence the desired width of your run. Stretch netting from fence ,,,,, over framework and then attach to ground at about 45 degree angle. This way, chickens have plenty of height to above netting.
You can use whatever material you may have on hand for the frame. Wood, pipes, ext. You may consider these if you plan on moving often to another spot. Pound into ground easily.

Here is link to Homedepot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-3-in-x-7-ft-Green-Steel-U-Fence-Post-901157EB/205960885

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thank you so much for your advice. I"m going to try to do it with a combination of all the suggestions!

 

[jthornton]

I just helped my neighbor put hot wires on her chain link fence. You can get insulators for the chain link part but not the corner posts so what she did was get some nail on insulators and nailed them onto a short 2x4 then wired that to the chain link fence. Made a quick sturdy mount for the insulator.

JT