Chain link runs? Pros and Cons?

[noahsmom]

When I picture a kennel run I think of this....It's from one of the threads I found while searching around.
This was made by Georgiagail here from BYC....


I REALLY like this, its nice and really easy on the eyes. Being easy on the eyes is something I'm shooting for, functionality/safety first and foremost, but I don't want a horrible eye sore in my yard. The roof looks secure and adds extra height, not that we need extra height as we are both under 6'. But the extra height makes it nice if you are doing any kind of projects inside the run itself. (adding roosts, or whatever).. You also don't have to worry about sagging. However, like others in the thread where I found this picture, I worry about snow load? But, we don't have a TON of snow during our winter usually, so I'm thinking things would be ok. We also will be checking periodically during the day every day so hopefully we could notice a weak spot.

So glad you mentioned about the silkies not being able to see "above", I hadn't thought of that but I do plan to have a roof regardless.

For those of you who just use netting/hardware cloth, How do you securely tie it to the roof and sides? I've read a lot of people just use zip ties it seems.

 

[DelcoChix]

^Noahsmom--I did make this roof based on that exact posting--very cool, not too costly, and worked pretty well, I used the 2"x4" fencing over the pvc hoops and then on the half of the kennel where I have a smaller coop under I tied a cheap tarp down so half of the 12' kennel/run is covered. Downside--exactly as you wondered...the pvc sagged under the weight of all the snow we've gotten and the upward arch became a sagging, ice and snow filled blue bag! I was able to pull/rake and then push most of the icy snow off and flip the pvc arcs back up so all is good...but may try to build a wood frame to support the roof later. It works for now-since it's a secondary coop/run no real urgency

I also wrapped the perimeter with chicken wire, 2' high and 1' as the buried apron--figure it's going to be tough for a raccoon to be able to squeeze his tiny little paws through two layers of wire, cheapie chicken wire and then think kennel wire.

Finally, I bought a spool of wire and cut 4" pieces to use to tie the wire wherever I needed to--pretty inexpensive and easy to remove if needed--just a couple of twists to undo when needed.

 

[noahsmom]

Great to know that the pvc did go under the snow load! I think we might do something a little different then, cause that's just something I don't want to have to worry about. Although I really do like how it looks compared to just a flat roof or tarp. I'm thinking maybe a wood framed rood might do the trick, Hmmm that is something we will have to ponder on.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-avairy-construction
this is the one I always drool over

 

[noahsmom]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-avairy-construction
this is the one I always drool over

That is great!

 

[poltroon]

I took some pictures of the runs we have using 10x10 dog kennels that came from TSC. This first one is actually set up as a 10x20 with extra panels, and then it was divided into two sections. You have to walk through one to get to the other, which I dislike, but it's nice to have the divider. The tarp is supported by 2x4 welded wire. Even though it's a heavy duty tarp, it's never been waterproof, which means it provides shade but not rain protection. The net effect is that it makes mud, because the water gets under but the sun doesn't.

Although I'm a fan of zip ties, in this case the connections are all made with wire or clamps or the like.








The tarp is supported by the metal pipes and wire mesh, and wired to the chain link.





The sloping roof structure was created with metal pipes bent and wired in.






Chickenwire over the non covered section of the run, supported by horizontal metal pipes.



The metal cannot be damaged by rodents or moisture. Of course, it cannot keep rodents out. (Even with hardware cloth around the bottom, they can climb, plus there are the gaps around the gate.) The inner coops are the real line of predator defense.

 

[poltroon]

This is the one with the metal roof. Normally, we use this for sheep, which is why it doesn't have a real coop inside. It is being used right now for a very temporary chicken situation, but I expect we'll end up with a another one like this for chickens. It is attached to a free range area surrounded by Premier1 electrified poultry net.












The roof section was built as a separate structure, and then clamps on to the original kennel using the same pipe clamps that are used for attaching the kennel panels together. It was a bit of a trick to get it light enough so we could get it on top. We got it up with three people. At this point, you can move the whole structure without having to take the roof off again.

It's very tidy and very sturdy.

If you live in a high wind area and you add a roof, you would want to make sure to anchor it to the ground in some way.

 

[Hinotori]

I'll second the anchor them to the ground even if you just use a tarp for a roof. Even with having concrete blocks at the corners, we had the wind pick up and throw a tarped kennel 250 feet out in the field. We use foot long twist in anchors now.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I bought a 10' x 10' x 6' Chainlink run for my trio of young Peafowl. It works great! Once they get bigger I'll add another 10' x 10' x 6' run to the already existing run.

We had to buy a heavy duty tarp for the top, we installed the run in October, and since then we've had rain and some snow. Well the tarp does NOT leak water at all, so I ended up with a huge block of ice in the middle of the tarp that sagged down...either that or when it rains, the tarp collects water and it sags down. Anyway, my tarp has torn is several spots, so I'll have to patch it up or something. Other than that I have no complaints! It cost me $250.00 brand new from TSC, I have seen some awesome deals on Chainlink fencing on Craigslist, but wasn't able to snap them up.

Oh, a thought for roof ideas.....if you bought an extra chainlink 'wall' you could just attach it to the top, and voila! You have a nice, secure top.







~ Aspen

 

[noahsmom]

Great Info, anchoring to the ground sounds like something that definitely needs to be done and makes total sense!

I LOVE the extra panel for the roof idea and that would help with any "ugliness" I'm worried about. You've made your roof/tarp look great Aspen.
Poltroon I really like your roof as well, How did you come up with the metal roof you used?