Big run fiasco--is it worth it?

[chookchick]

So for 11 years my chickens (around 6 hens) have had a totally enclosed 12 by 12 run, and an 8 by 8 coop, and seemed fairly content with the situation. They get locked up in the Fort Knox coop every night and I haven't lost any to predators. But my last batch of hens included 2 Welsummers that scream at me whenever they see me, and a Black Austrolorp that tries to get out when I open the door. So I decided to close in a bigger area for them, and the other side of the coop has a nice wooded, shrubby area.

The big run started as a 17 by 42 foot area that was going to be just fenced with 4' fencing (keep it simple, ha ha). Then I worried about them flying over and digging the edges, so I put in 6' posts and added 2' of bird netting and a skirting. I'll probably replace the bird netting with more welded wire, it's too flimsy. Now I saw a small hawk eyeballing the chicks, so I'm looking to purchase aviary netting to cover the whole thing. I'm going to have to put in support posts in the middle, and figure out a way to roll things up when the trees dump their leaves. Plus I have to chop down some large rhodies and other shrubs to get the netting in.

This has been so much work, are they even going to appreciate this? Does anyone have an idea how to deal with the aviary netting in leaf season? Am I on the right track?

 

[Steven Bussell]

It really depends on what kind of trees you have around it.
My grandmother run was under pine and oak trees. Most of the time they fell through the netting.
The falling branches were the biggest problem

 

[chookchick]

Unfortunately these are massive big leaf maples.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Lol.... maybe a cordless blower... dewalt makes a powerful little blower. I use mine for cleaning gutters and around my coop. Its pretty quiet and no cord or exhaust fumes

 

[rosemarythyme]

That's a very generous sized run! Is it worth it? Well, it certainly provides more protection if you can manage to net over the top. After I netted my entire run (20x25) we did see a hawk dive in and veer off when it realized it couldn't get through.

Having trees over it is great for shade but downside is dealing with leaves and branches for sure. I have a weeping willow tree that overhangs the run, so we do have to cut back or pull through the branches that grow down each year. The leaves and branches from the tree go into the run litter as they naturally get shed in the fall (plus the birds safely eat young leaves). With bigger leaves or branches yes you'll need to find a way to clear them off the netting. I use a long branch to knock aside odd branches and snow but that might be difficult with an even larger run.

 

[chookchick]

Hmmm, we do have a large back pack blower, I suppose I could blow it off from underneath every morning? Branches would be a challenge.

 

[aart]

But my last batch of hens included 2 Welsummers that scream at me whenever they see me, and a Black Austrolorp that tries to get out when I open the door.

Just curious.....did you add these birds to existing birds.....if so, how long ago?

Good luck on your run project, hang in there, it will be worth it in the end.

 

[jreardon1918]

Is it worth it? Worth covering it all? Depends on how secure you want it. What is your risk tolerance? We have a small version of your secure coop and run. The coop is 4x8. The secure run is 8 x 12. Secure enough, that we rarely close the pop door. A bout a year ago, I built an auxiliary run. It is roughly 20'x50'. It has a 5' welded wire fence. Have only had one hen fly out and she waited patiently for me to rescue her from the woods. There is a pop door that I prop open to allow them in that area. See the attached picture. I see an occasional fox. Hawks are definitely all around. There is a huge oak tree in the run. So, no easy way to cover. I have seen one hawk go in the run, but it had to come in at low speed. The hens just went into the coop. We have not lost any due to predators. Yet. But I am aware that they are one flimsy fence away from predators.

 

[Cryss]

Could you possibly build a slanted roof on poles? Like a wall-less pole barn, it could offer shade and protection from precipitation and hawks. The high end would still allow plenty of sunshine. It could either be over the hardware cloth roof you mention planning or you could simply continue the hardware cloth up to attach to the roof which also gives more head room for you.

 

[Shadrach]

Probably not worth it.
You may as well let them free range or keep a number of chickens that you can humanely house in your existing run.
To make a really large run secure is not just expensive, it's quite a challenge.
People lose chickens in runs, they even have coops broken into. There comes a point imo when given the right kind of cover the chickens chances of survival are as good free ranging.