Building a Large Run?

[fried green eggs]

Sorry for your loses.
I started out with our first coop and run using the 10 sq ft per bird for the run size that I found on this site. Using that math - it means you need 120 sq ft for 12 birds. However if they will be kept in just that space, you will find it will be just dirt quickly. It will also require cleaning and rototilling every few months so it drains well. The more room you can give them the better!
Look on craigslist for used dog kennels to make larger runs and by adding chicken wire on the bottom 3' you have a great and easy walk in enclosure. Then you just need the protection on the top.
I would forget deer netting to cover the run. It will work for a couple years before it starts to get weak due to sun rays and need to be replaced. Also, it's too fine and will not allow wet snow to fall thru and then it will sag with the weight of snow and pull on your outside fence. Fishing line is not made to be exposed to sun rays so, it will have a very short life.

I have a couple of our runs covered with orange plastic construction fencing I purchased used really cheap. Snow can fall thru it and its tough but, even zip tying it together to make it wider - will only work for smaller runs with kennel panels to attach it to - so it doesn't sag.

For my bigger runs 55' x 35' I used galvanized electric fence wire and made a 1'x 1' grid pattern over the entire top of run. I used almost 1 mile of it but, the light weight wire will last for years and years. The wire also collects no snow to pull on the outer fences and with spacing that close - I have not had any problems with hawks or owls even with a large woods right next to my coops. Cost wise it's pretty cheap and easy to put up. You could also put up martin houses because Purple Martins will chase away most hawks.
Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[Fluffychicky]

You make some good points I will definitely look into the wire. I unfortunately don't think I am in the right environment for purple martins, but I would love to have my crows back they did a great job keeping the hawk away and they never harassed the chickens.

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: Build your run only 6 ft. wide. It is easy to roof that way. If you have the land, build it in an "L" shape. That way you can roof it easily , get the birds the 10 ft. per bird they need outdoors, plus, the birds have a longer distance to walk, good for keeping them in shape. I set my yard on top the ground using "panels" screwed together. That way it is technically a "temporary" structure and I do not need a building permit from the county. Nothing goes into the ground. How so? I build my runs 5'10" ft. high Check your county regs. If there is a 6 ft. height limit, then chop off 2 inches so you come in underneath it, like we do.
Now, build your yard walls w in 6' high x 5' long panels. Put a 2x4 crossbar 1/2 way up the panel to give strength to the wire. Use 2x4's and screen the panels with chicken wire. Cut the wire a bit wider than the panel. That way you can bend the wire around the side of the panel when you screw the upright panels together, side by side. I like to cut one ft. long pieces with angled ends to brace the inside corners of each panel. It's not needed for sturdiness, but makes a real nice descriptive accent. This not my coop/yard, however, a good illustration of the panel method: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/our-recycled-shed-coop Using 5ft. wide panels is easier than six and makes chicken multiplication math easier later on if you need too.
Just make it 15 birds. A bit extra won't hurt and the multiplication is easier. Ok, your 15 birds need 10 sq. ft. each outside. That's 150 sq. ft. Ok, with the run being 6 ft. wide and using 5 ft. long panels. Each " 6' wide x 5' long . square" will be 30 sq. ft. You will need 5 quan. of these "squares to make your 150 sq. ft. That works perfectly in an "L" shaped design. Picture this in your mind's eye. A 90 degree angle. _I Where the lines meet is one 6ft. high x 5 ft. wide section. Then each side is 2 of the 6 ft. high x 5 ft. wide sections. The birds can actually walk 25 ft. from one end to the other. Good for giving birds at the bottom of the pecking order plenty of room to get away.
Now for roofing. Install a 2x4 crossbars across the run to give support to your tarp. I also use chicken wire and roof my runs but my birds don't free range. If you decide to roof your run, you will easily see the usefulness of a 6 ft. wide run. What we do is put up 2x4 crossbars about every 5 ft. Then we run 2x4's "end to end" on top of them down the center of the run. This will give a bit of "peak" to the tarp so rain and snow slide off. Take your tarps and spread them over the roof. Use those bungie cords with the red ball on the end ( like they use for Easy-Ups, Wal-Mart). Loop them thru the grommet holes in the tarp. install screws or hooks in the uprights at a height where you can pull the bungie taut and slip it over the screw/hook to keep the tarp taut. If desired, use some weatherproof duct tape and tape the seams were the tarps overlap
Add a door in whichever panel you choose. Make it out of another chicken wire covered panel which fits inside one of the 6 ft. high x 5 ft. wide panels. Make it wide enough to get a wheelbarrow thru.
This type of run also is great for adding on space. Just add more 6 ft. high by 5 ft. wide sections as you need them.
Best,
Karen
Waterford English Light Sussex
in western PA, USA
P.S. If you are using 6 ft. wide chicken wire, you might want to reverse the measurements and make the run 5 ft. wide and use 6 ft. long panels. That way you can lay the roof in one piece lengthwise with a 6 inch overlap on each side.
I use 4ft. wide chicken wire, that's another reason I put the crossbar in 1/2 way up the panel. It leaves me a ft. at the top and a ft. at the bottom. The top ft. gets zip tied to the roof for security. the bottom ft. gets buried for security.
Best Regards,
Karen
Waterford English Light Sussex
in western PA, USA