Chicken Run Height

[amaranth320]

I've built a permanent 4'x8' coop for four hens, and I'd like to build a permanent run of the same size. I plan on letting them out for a while most days either free range or in a tractor. Is there a particular height I need to make the run? I was thinking I'd make it 2' tall with a removable roof so I can get in and out easily if I need to. Is a 2' high run tall enough? We have two Easter Eggers, a speckled Sussex, and a Buff Orpington. Their coop is 4' tall, and that's where they have their roost and nest boxes. Food and water will likely be in the run.

 

[quackingdom]

It just needs to be high enough that they can't hit their heads on it and they can safely flap their wings. 2' sounds a bit low, but I'm not sure.

 

[Mace Gill]

Taller would be better s they can have some outside perches. Can you swing 4'?

 

[Folly's place]

As tall as possible; being able to walk right into it is best. Raising the roof or a short run means that all the birds escape when you are going in for one thing. It won't be good! 4' tall is also not fun, unless you like crawling around in there. Mary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

As tall as possible; being able to walk right into it is best. Raising the roof or a short run means that all the birds escape when you are going in for one thing. It won't be good! 4' tall is also not fun, unless you like crawling around in there. Mary

X2... think of you, not just therm. If a bird is sick, injured or dead in the run, lays an egg in the run, etc and you need to get in there, it is MUCH more pleasant to be able to do it without crawling.

 

[amaranth320]

Can you swing 4'?

I've already purchased the hardware cloth, which is the 36" variety. I was planning on doing a 12" skirting of hardware cloth around the bottom. I do have some spare 24" hardware cloth lying around. I might be able to make the run 3' tall and use the 36" roll for the sides and top, then use the spare 24" cloth for the skirting. I had planned on a lift-off roof so I could climb into the run when necessary. Climbing into a 3' run would be pretty awkward for me and impossible for the kids, which is one reason I wanted to go shorter.

 

[amaranth320]

I'd love a 6' tall run, but we just bought a house, and a run tall enough for me to walk into and stand up in just isn't in the budget right now. :-/

 

[Mace Gill]

I'd love a 6' tall run, but we just bought a house, and a run tall enough for me to walk into and stand up in just isn't in the budget right now. :-/

We had bought our coop ... after pricing materials for building one, it was just as cheap to buy on special at the 4H fair ...

Bu we built the run n a budget. It is an old metal 10'x20' canopy frame. The expense was in the fencing ... 1" poultry wire, some hardware cloth for around the bottom (buried about 8" under) and a LOT of UV rated zip ties (too many are almost enough!) ... and a little lumber and plumbing fittings for the door. Over three years later it is still as strong as fort Knox

 

[Petra Pancake]

My run is about 4' high with metal net on top and it's very uncomfortable to walk in. One has to bend forward and keep the head low and my hair or head covering gets caught and snagged all the time. It annoys me every time I have to get in. Wish I'd built it taller. But I built it the way it is also for budget reasons. If you have a very low run, as @Folly's place wrote, you'll have to figure out a way to prevent your chickens from escaping every time you lift the roof.