Chain link for the run?

[Puresilk]

I just put together a 8x14 run for my wifes silkies, made of 6 foot tall chain link panels (was a dog kennel). They are tied solid to stakes driven in the ground so they cant be pushed up by something trying to squirm under. I have cattle panels laid beneath and sticking out 1 foot all the way around. The chickens are put up before dark. Will 'just' chain link panels work for a run? I dont see critters out in the day time. What do you guys think?

 

[Puresilk]

I have my chickens next to my two hounds. I also have a lab/bulldog mix running loose that is a great watchdog and death on any varmint that he can catch (although he doesnt seem to even see the chickens). I am going to put a top on it, probably chicken wire, although the pen is completely covered by limbs, hawks should not be able to get a glimpse of it. I thought it would work fine since I always put them up before dusk and let them out around 7-8 in the morning. I am 100% positive a dog cant get in, and other than something (coon) reaching through it and maybe grabbing a chicken, and I dont see coon out in daytime at all, I cant see where it wouldnt work. Anything see something I have overlooked?

 

[Imp]

Chainlink works well, but only you know what predators are around. Make sure it is well secured to the frame. And small predators like rats, minks, snakes, weasels etc can get through. Some people cover the chainlink with hardwire cloth.
I use a chainlink kennel with a chainlink panel on the ground and on top. My chickens rarely use the run, mostly just pass through on their way to free-range.

Imp

 

[Puresilk]

we dont have minks or weasels here. Rats and snakes are the only varmints small enough to get through chain link around here. The only varmints to worry about around here is coon, possum, snunk, bobcat, fox, coyote, hawk, and a stray dog or two. I have heard skunk/possump/coon could get through anything they can get their heads through, but having my hounds right beside them should eliminate most of that (which like I said, you dont see them around int he day time around here). But do rats and snakes really kill grown birds? We dont plan on having any chicks in that pen. We will build a different pen when we decide to have chicks. I am going to go out tomorrow and tie the chain link to the frame probably every 6-8 inches, so nothing can squirm through there. I will get pictures taken of it tomorrow. THanks

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I, too, used the chain link dog kennels and they are wonderful !! So easy to install; sturdy (my neighbors German Shepherds can't budge them); my Silkies can't get out; no maintenance. I did apply 16 inch tarp panels around the base of the perimeter to keep chicks in, and cat paws out. The area surrounded by the chain link is divided into smaller pens, so that I can keep my "colors" separate. We have hawks here, but I believe the smaller interior pens don't allow the hawk enough room to swoop in for a kill. All of the birds are secured into little houses at night so nocturnal predators can't get them. Best of all---the cost---didn't pay more than $75 for each 10' x 10' x 6' kennel.

 

[Imp]

I had a rat decide to raise babies in the coop. Didn't mess with the chickens. Scared them. I've read that mostly they are only dangerous in groups, except to chicks and eggs, and the chickens can kill rats and feast. Snakes, I've rarely read that a snake went after full grown chickens. I think it would have to be a BIG snake, but have to admit. I live in Seattle, grew up in Alaska. I've only seen 3 wild snakes in my life, all of them garters and small. I don't think skunk/possum/coon can get through chainlink.

When I was in Pheonix last year I saw chainlink that was about 1/4 the size of standard chainlink, about 1" diamonds.

Imp

 

[suebee]

You're good to go! I have chain link runs. Works great, as long as they're going into a secure coop at night. I've never heard of a snake or rat killing a full grown chicken, silkie or not. You should get a "variegated privet" to plant on one side of the run to provide shade.
If you decide to free range them, this big, bushy tree is the BEST hiding spot for them to get under. I have them right next to the run.

 

[Dev]

BYC group - Hi. I'm new to the group and so glad I found this forum, I am going to need your help I am certain! We just started raising chickens and since I never do anything in moderation, we started with 21, 3 day old, chicks last Friday and then 10 more, approx. 8 hour old Silkies, on Monday, so 31 all together! (what am I thinking? lol). Not really my fault, we went to Cackle Hatchery (we live approx. 35 minutes from the hatchery) and gave the lady at the desk my notepad with the different varieties that we were interested in seeing and she brought back 3 of each on my list and I of course couldn't tell her to put them back! Right now they are in brooders in a spare room and literally growing before my eyes, I cannot believe how fast they grow!! My husband is building two coups, one coup (6x8 with a run that 8x14) for "his" chickens (the first 21 chicks - RIR, NHR, Red Star, Chochin, Polish, Wyandotte, Barred Rock) and then a smaller version for my 10 Silkies (2 each of blue, white, buff, black, Partridge).

Puresilk - I wanted to reply that we have a friend who put his chickens in a similar pen as yours with no top and even though it was very tall and secure at the bottom, a coon still climbed up and over it and ate everyone of his chickens All he had left were a pile of feathers. If it were me I would get a top on that pen asap! We have a cat habitat with 5 cats living in it and we have it concreted at the bottom because coyote and fox have tried to get in to eat my cats. My husband is going to concrete 8 to 10 inches out around the bottom of the chicken coups too, just in case. The cattle panel sounds like it would work to secure the bottom but the top isn't safe from what we have see happen to our friend's chickens in a similar run.

 

[suebee]

Quote:

I also have the top covered with 4" fencing wire. I thought I could keep the pop door of the coop open at night and the chickens could just go out early in the morning without me going out there to let them out.. I thought since the run was ultra secure. BUT.... a weasel got into the chain link run, went into the pop door and ate the head off my broody silkie on the floor of the coop. Lesson learned. Never keep your coop door open at night no matter what. Even if you think you're run and coop are fort knox.

 

[Puresilk]

my coop is shaded 75% of the time, under several trees. I am gonna put a top on it, and my chickens get put up at night no matter what. The coop is as predator proof as it is possible to make it. The floor is 3/4 plywood mounted on two 4' x 8' 6" tall oak pallets. I will stick with chicken wire on the top of it unless I can find some 2x4 welded wire somewhere cheap. I dont need 50' of it and thats the smallest roll I have found.