Chicken Run - Buy or Build?

[Native roots]

Maybe a temporary fix until you and your husband can work together. How about build a pallet fence and bird meeting on top. Put a pallet on hinges as a door or build a simple door

 

[MissChick@dee]

I'm a single mom without any building experience and converted an existing 8 x 8 shed into a coop and built a 30'x6' run. I work full time from home and built this over about 4 weeks.

The shed/coop was easy. I used a saws all to cut vents at the top of the walls for ventilation and covered with hardware cloth. I also added 2 windows using Plexiglas, hardware cloth and hinges. I splurged on an automatic door. I was really apprehensive about installing this. It turned out to be the simplest. Used cabinets I got from a second hand store for nesting boxes and built a litter board and roost.

For their run I was going to build out of 2x4s. It ended up being too heavy for me to build and then move where I wanted it. So I used 2x4s for the base and PVC piping for the sides. I covered the entire thing with welding wire. Might not be the best for predictors, however I can see it from my office during the day.

I spent a lot of time searching this site and watching youtube. It was hugely rewarding and a great boost of confidence. I never would've thought I could've built this. So proud of how it turned out.

Did I miss the pictures?

 

[MissChick@dee]

I am a new backyard chicken farmer myself and am about 2 months into it. I didn't want to put to much cash into this experience just yet but I did buy a pretty solid chicken coop but lacked a decent run. We happened to have a 10 x 10 dog kennel (about 200 bucks new) that we ended up putting around the coop for now and bird netting to keep flying predators out. Since we are in a rental I did not want to build anything permanent.

Now, those dog kennels will keep most larger animals out (dogs, coyotes, cats, maybe bears and mountain lions?) but not anything that can get through the fencing gaps. I put my young chickens away in the coop and lock them in so rats or any other of those type of critters can't get into the coop. We also have two Aussies that guard them during the morning and evenings till we put them away so that helps out as well. Once we get into a permanent home I would definitely build my own run.

With all the ideas out there and how to's it wouldn't be hard. From what I have seen and read, you can put one together with a few 4x4 posts, 2x4s and some wire mesh. If you can build a box then you can build a chicken run. Go online to google images and type in "Easy Chicken Run" and you'll see what I am talking about. Now if you are really want to Bear proof that thing then maybe finding a local handy man/woman would be best.

You’ve got grass!! Not to be a turd in the punch bowl but enjoy it while it lasts!! Nice setup.

 

[sprede]

You’ve got grass!! Not to be a turd in the punch bowl but enjoy it while it lasts!! Nice setup.

Oh ya from what I heard they will tear the grass in that run area to shreads. No worries though as I plan on putting in sand once they do. They are still young and we are headed into winter so not to worried...yet I also plan on letting them free range the back yard while we are home.

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

we built our run and haven't lost any birds yet...
the hens have not much to worry about apart from the occasional fox or cat
but if you have predators like you said make sure your run is very secure at the base if you plan to have a permanent run
if it is a movable run, its best to build it with very strong material, because bought runs tend to be made of weaker wood. (in England anyway)

 

[ChicKat]

TSC sells kits of 4 individual panels made of chain link. 4 panels - one with a door are running around $300 around here new. They also have a 10x10 roofing structure, add about another $120. Chain link would require hardware cloth cladding -- including the doors and the gaps and the arches of the peaked roof. quite a lot of work. Then a 2' hardware cloth skirting needs to be placed around the edge, on top of the ground to prevent easy digging by predators. Raccoons can dig under the unprotected sides (depending on your ground, mine is sandy soil) Chicken wire underlayment has worked on the roofs for me for nearly 5 years no problem. Roof tarps need replacement from time to time.

Easy to assemble and can be moved.

You can also expand if you need, and your land is available.
Expensive solution, however, they will retain 'resale value'.

I'm just selling mine here's a link to my set up.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-for-chicken-runs-coop-set-up-ideas.1271148/

Here is the key---> I got my first 7 panels from someone getting rid of them. all for $50 - and they would have just given them to me.
so -- look on Craigsllist in your area, and any of the local trader papers. Sometimes people have the dog kennel they want to get rid of. win-win -- They get rid of theirs and you get what you are looking for. As they become more popular, they would sell quicker on Criagslist etc.

 

[ChicKat]

do others actually have problems with mice? My chickens

I have a lot of mice. They are in the garden shed where the feed is kept, they invade the feeders over night. Chickens catch them in the runs from time to time. Doing some nearby excavating (they tunnel underground here) resulted in 10 mice being thrown to the chickens. UGH.
There is a type of bucket trap -- where they walk the plank and fall into water.
One problem with too many mice here is that mice draw snakes.
Here's an example of one on Amazon -
https://www.amazon.com/Remove-Dropp...ocphy=9027186&hvtargid=pla-385189676822&psc=1
There are also DIY ways to make them from 5-gallon bucket if you do a google search.

 

[ChickaMama49]

Hi,
We bought a great chicken coop for our babies but now need a chicken run. I thought I found one that I could simply modify, but it was sold out
We live in the country, plenty of mice, weasels, foxes, feral cats, coyotes and even a bear or two (although it has not been seen near where I am placing my coop). So, whatever we have has to be 10000000% predator proof. I am not losing anyone to a predator! And we live in the Northeast, so lots of snow and very cold in the winter (below zero) and hot in the summer (90s).
Very basic building skills, so I'm a bit intimidated about building my own. I would prefer to buy a run kit, but I can't seem to find a large stand-alone run for purchase. We have 4 Cornish X that are adopted pets and are currently 4 weeks old. We may be getting a 5th soon. I've been going nuts trying to find something online, but can't seem to find anything to suit my needs. I would appreciate any advice and/or help! The babies will need to move outside soon!
Thanks

With all that you need to do to make it preditor proof and weather proof you probably should consider building it yourself or having someone help build it. Certainly use pressure treated plywood. Heavy gauge 1/4 “ hardware cloth galvanized. Also nail in the hardware cloth not staples. There’s lots of advice on here. Bury the hardware cloth like 2-3 feet deep and cover with rocks or pavers or something. We use “preditor lights” red lights that flash all around. There’s a lot to keeping it safe but once you do it’s good. Best of luck !

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

A little off topic - do others actually have problems with mice? My chickens - even as 8 week old chicks - will go after, kill and eat field mice and voles (larger than the mice). If they don't "finish" their meal, the outdoor cats will...

The breeds that were involved in the "vole race" this summer were a mix of birds - none of which were actually supposed to be out, but were. The 1-1/2 yr old roo is a smallish Ameraucana/mixed bantamX, 2 chicks were blue Australorp pullets, several lavender orpington cockerels and an orpington pullet... Was HILARIOUS to watch them chasing the vole (Orps do run like CornishXs do, LOL). The next day, Mr. Blue (7 yr old male barn cat) carried the "departed" vole off.

A little off topic - do others actually have problems with mice? My chickens - even as 8 week old chicks - will go after, kill and eat field mice and voles (larger than the mice). If they don't "finish" their meal, the outdoor cats will...

The breeds that were involved in the "vole race" this summer were a mix of birds - none of which were actually supposed to be out, but were. The 1-1/2 yr old roo is a smallish Ameraucana/mixed bantamX, 2 chicks were blue Australorp pullets, several lavender orpington cockerels and an orpington pullet... Was HILARIOUS to watch them chasing the vole (Orps do run like CornishXs do, LOL). The next day, Mr. Blue (7 yr old male barn cat) carried the "departed" vole off.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

A little off topic - do others actually have problems with mice? My chickens - even as 8 week old chicks - will go after, kill and eat field mice and voles (larger than the mice). If they don't "finish" their meal, the outdoor cats will...

The breeds that were involved in the "vole race" this summer were a mix of birds - none of which were actually supposed to be out, but were. The 1-1/2 yr old roo is a smallish Ameraucana/mixed bantamX, 2 chicks were blue Australorp pullets, several lavender orpington cockerels and an orpington pullet... Was HILARIOUS to watch them chasing the vole (Orps do run like CornishXs do, LOL). The next day, Mr. Blue (7 yr old male barn cat) carried the "departed" vole off.[/QUOT