Chain Link Run... thought

I have a chain link run covered with field fence. I have never lost a chicken from the run but I do not have predators like raccoon or weasel. I dug out some 50' rolls dumpster diving making a 10x20 run (one side against barn). It's only 4' chain link but I did a peaked run so I can easily walk around and clean it.

 

Will be fine for keeping them in, but as is pointed out above it won't keep many predators out.

 

Chain link is great IMO with a little tinkering, it's pretty good against things like dogs but you'd need to add an apron and smaller opening wire mesh (i.e. 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth) to keep out smaller pests. It can get rather expensive if you're having it professionally installed. For your 6 you'd want a minimum of 60 sq ft but more is always better, for example my total run is 20 x 27 (540 sq ft) and I have 4 birds. I also have the coop inside the run as well as garden beds.

 

Our neighbors have a chain link run that was placed on top of an old building foundation, so that gives it a firm base. Even so, they have had skunks actually dig under the foundation and others that have tried. The chain link kept the larger varmints out, but wild birds like starlings and sparrows were getting in, so they later covered the chain link with chicken wire. That stopped most of the wild bird traffic, but the occasional starling will still get in.......then can't get out. Those generally end up dying from lead poisoning.

The interesting thing about the chicken wire is how many holes show up over time as predators attempt to fight their way in. Often enough to know chicken wire alone would never work to keep predators out.

I have a standard chain link fence in the back, and while it keeps the birds in and some predators like large dogs out, cats, possums, coons and probably larger canines like a fox or coyote can go under it so easily it seems like it is not even there. The cats go under it and never even slow down. So it needs an apron to shut down that traffic. Or use the posts to run a single hot wire on a stand off insulator along the bottom.

 

The general recommendation for happy backyard birds is at least 10 sq. ft. of run space per bird.

That being said, I'd build in convenient measurements. If you plan on building a wood frame for it to sit on then I'd go with common lumber dimensions. If it's chain link panels that you're working with, they might dictate the size of the run. FWIW, my 8x12 run suits my 6 standard birds and 2 bantams just fine.

 

If using panels like from a dog run, the curved corners make gaps that will need to be closed up...
...and sometimes gaps between mesh stretcher and frame piping too.
Stuff can make a good structural frameworks, but like the others have said not totally predator proof without smaller mesh additions.