Chicken run post spacing

[oolyboolu]

so finally getting around to planning the run for my coop and im wondering what is the best spacing for the posts. im planning to use treated 2x4x8 with 2ft dug into the ground for a 6' height. ill use 1x4 planks to run across the top of the posts and maybe a few diagonally to help keep it all sturdy. the run will go off the back of the coop about 20ft long, so 8x20ft of run space. would 5' spacing between posts be sturdy enough? or less/more? any suggestions?

thanks peeps!! (yep, i said it)

cheers

nieves

 

[Ridgerunner]

What length are the 1x4’s? What are you planning as fencing material? Wire?

There are lots of different ways to build a fence. Some things I’d suggest. Go with something more substantial as corner posts, maybe a 4x4 or 4x6. Brace that back to the next post pretty well. A diagonal 2x4 from near the top of the 4x4 to the ground level of the 2x4 next to it in should work well. If you are using wire, you need that bracing at the corners in both directions so you can stretch it and maintain the tension. The intermediate posts are not that important if you are using wire.

If you are using those 1x4’s, space the posts so that construction is easy. If those are 8’ long, center to center 8’ on the posts works well. If they are 10’ long, then a 10’ center to center post spacing works well.

I suggest you not have a 1x4 or anything else at the top of the fence that chickens might like to perch on unless the run is covered. Chickens like to perch. Most can fly up 6’ without a big problem. If they fly up to perch, who knows what side they might fly down on. And once they are out, they generally don’t know to get back in the same way. Leave a few inches of wire sticking up above your top horizontal brace to stop them from perching.

 

[chfite]

Since it will be braced at the top and is not to keep pigs and donkeys out, eight foot spacing might be sufficient. I used eight foot spacing on my run, 16 x 20.

Chris

 

[oolyboolu]

thanks for the suggestions guys! i wasnt too sure of covering the run but i think i might to it anyways, just to be on the safe side.