Attaching a run to a deer-blind coop?

[RojoMarz]

We repurposed a metal carport structure as the frame of our run. Chain link was then added to it. We did add wood along the bottom, to provide strength and structure to the chain link. We used strapping to attach the frame to the coop. It took some ingenuity and it's not the prettiest, but, it worked.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Also, do you have any advice on how to attatch a hardware cloth apron to a dog kennel? I like the idea of using a dog kennel to save on work and money, but I’m just not sure how I would attatch the hardware cloth to the top of the kennel or to make an apron on the bottom. Would you have any suggestions for this?

Hog rings. Get 4' wide hardware cloth, hog ring it onto the chain link some 2-3', and then bend out the remaining hardware cloth in an L shape and lay it on the ground and use landscape staples to attach it to the ground to form an apron.

Not the best photo but you can probably see a few of the hog rings here, plus UV resistant zip ties (I've since replaced with stainless steel zip ties) for the bigger pipes, and a bit of the apron.

I’m also worried about raccoons reaching in through the links of the dog kennel, if anyone had a way to stop that? Maybe putting hardware cloth on the bottom half of the dog kennel panels?

Hardware cloth up the bottom 2-3' should minimize risk of reachthrough from coons.

 

[Disintegration]

Hog rings. Get 4' wide hardware cloth, hog ring it onto the chain link some 2-3', and then bend out the remaining hardware cloth in an L shape and lay it on the ground and use landscape staples to attach it to the ground to form an apron.

Not the best photo but you can probably see a few of the hog rings here, plus UV resistant zip ties (I've since replaced with stainless steel zip ties) for the bigger pipes, and a bit of the apron.

View attachment 2400458



Hardware cloth up the bottom 2-3' should minimize risk of reachthrough from coons.

Thank you! I’m going to start looking for dog kennels soon, I think that might be my best option now that I have a way to really secure one with hardware cloth and hog rings.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hi. When u mentioned hardware cloth, i knew u had a good grasp re what u need to build to keep your future chickens safe. (Many people have never heard of hardware cloth.) I have large runs made from 10×10x6ft chain link dog kennels attached together. The chain link is then Entirely covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. The tops of runs are also completely covered with hardware cloth, with a metal roof added to keep runs dry. Finally, a hardware cloth apron is flared out 3 feet to prevent digging. (Lots of trees shade the runs, so hardware cloth is flared out so tree roots were not disturbed). If your run is 100% secure, yes u can leave coop door open 24/7. Like you, i live in a very rural wooded area. The reason i covered the runs entirely in hardware cloth was to keep out snakes & rodents along with other predators. But covering the entire run gets expensive. If u cover the bottom 3' of chain link with hardware cloth to keep raccoons, opossums, etc from reaching in, u Should be fine using heavy gauge 2×4 welded wire or similiar wire as an apron, and also using heavy gauge wire on top of the run to keep out climbing and aerial predators. (Unless u have weasels, mink, etc. 2x4 wire will also allow rats to enter). I used LOTS of zipties to attach the hardware cloth to the chainlink. Harbor freight has best best price i found on zipties. Hog rings, metal zipties, etc ARE more secure than plastic zipties, but the plastic zipties were easiest for me to use. Black zipties are more weather-resistant than other colors. And like i said, i compensated by using lots. U should be able to find used metal roofing as well as used chain link. Builders often have left over metal roofing from homesite builds. Not necessary to have roof cover over run, but esp with feathered feet breeds, u will probably not want them outside coop if run gets muddy from rain/snow. If u go to extra effort to build a good secure coop and run in the beginning, u will have peace of mind that your chickens will be safe. Ive never had a predator get inside my coops/runs. Im not certain my set-up would keep a bear out. There are black bears in my area, but they are rare, & ive never seen one on my property. I know u are going to really enjoy having chickens. Good luck & have fun!

 

[Eilsel]

I’m also worried about raccoons reaching in through the links of the dog kennel, if anyone had a way to stop that? Maybe putting hardware cloth on the bottom half of the dog kennel panels?

We actually have a camera that’s set up at the edge of the woods and it takes photos of animals that go by. I think so far we’ve gotten a couple bobcats and coyotes, if that gives any more info on the situation with whether or not I need an automatic coop door or if I can just leave it open.
I’m really worried about predators, I don’t want to loose a chicken to a predator attack that could have been preventable.

I used a dog kennel for my run, and I recommend 1" x 2" welded wire for the apron and top (though I used 2" x 4" on the top, and it still collects some snow but is cheaper than 1x2). I don't have a roof on my run, but have covered the top with welded wire so I can leave the door to the coop open 24/7, but I will close it if it's very cold and windy. I attached mine with outdoor zip ties and it's going on 3 years with no problem! I got a 3' tall welded wire roll and bent it so I have a 1' apron and then it goes 2' up the side of my kennel, this makes the gaps where the panels come together covered and keeps small chicks from escaping through the chain link. I did have to run a few 2 x 4's across the width of the kennel to help support the "roof." Apparently I don't have any great photos of the top, but I'll attach what I do have here! Pretty isn't really high on my list of priorities, just functional and not hideous. I"m in Kansas and have woods, a pond, and farmland around my house. I definitely have foxes but somehow have not had an issue with raccoons, knock on wood! All my fox issues have happened in broad daylight though. Very frustrating!

 

[Disintegration]

Hi. When u mentioned hardware cloth, i knew u had a good grasp re what u need to build to keep your future chickens safe. (Many people have never heard of hardware cloth.) I have large runs made from 10×10x6ft chain link dog kennels attached together. The chain link is then Entirely covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. The tops of runs are also completely covered with hardware cloth, with a metal roof added to keep runs dry. Finally, a hardware cloth apron is flared out 3 feet to prevent digging. (Lots of trees shade the runs, so hardware cloth is flared out so tree roots were not disturbed). If your run is 100% secure, yes u can leave coop door open 24/7. Like you, i live in a very rural wooded area. The reason i covered the runs entirely in hardware cloth was to keep out snakes & rodents along with other predators. But covering the entire run gets expensive. If u cover the bottom 3' of chain link with hardware cloth to keep raccoons, opossums, etc from reaching in, u Should be fine using heavy gauge 2×4 welded wire or similiar wire as an apron, and also using heavy gauge wire on top of the run to keep out climbing and aerial predators. (Unless u have weasels, mink, etc. 2x4 wire will also allow rats to enter). I used LOTS of zipties to attach the hardware cloth to the chainlink. Harbor freight has best best price i found on zipties. Hog rings, metal zipties, etc ARE more secure than plastic zipties, but the plastic zipties were easiest for me to use. Black zipties are more weather-resistant than other colors. And like i said, i compensated by using lots. U should be able to find used metal roofing as well as used chain link. Builders often have left over metal roofing from homesite builds. Not necessary to have roof cover over run, but esp with feathered feet breeds, u will probably not want them outside coop if run gets muddy from rain/snow. If u go to extra effort to build a good secure coop and run in the beginning, u will have peace of mind that your chickens will be safe. Ive never had a predator get inside my coops/runs. Im not certain my set-up would keep a bear out. There are black bears in my area, but they are rare, & ive never seen one on my property. I know u are going to really enjoy having chickens. Good luck & have fun!

I’m planning to do something pretty similar to your setup, but instead of metal roofing I thing I’m going to predator-proof a top specially made for a dog kennel so it’ll fit better. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Disintegration]

I used a dog kennel for my run, and I recommend 1" x 2" welded wire for the apron and top (though I used 2" x 4" on the top, and it still collects some snow but is cheaper than 1x2). I don't have a roof on my run, but have covered the top with welded wire so I can leave the door to the coop open 24/7, but I will close it if it's very cold and windy. I attached mine with outdoor zip ties and it's going on 3 years with no problem! I got a 3' tall welded wire roll and bent it so I have a 1' apron and then it goes 2' up the side of my kennel, this makes the gaps where the panels come together covered and keeps small chicks from escaping through the chain link. I did have to run a few 2 x 4's across the width of the kennel to help support the "roof." Apparently I don't have any great photos of the top, but I'll attach what I do have here! Pretty isn't really high on my list of priorities, just functional and not hideous. I"m in Kansas and have woods, a pond, and farmland around my house. I definitely have foxes but somehow have not had an issue with raccoons, knock on wood! All my fox issues have happened in broad daylight though. Very frustrating!
View attachment 2401452
View attachment 2401453

Wow, I didn’t know welded wire could support snow like that! Thank you for the advice!