Chicken run

[Becca1223]

Honestly, I'd love to be that handy but I don't think I could. I don't want to compromise their safety by messing around with the run. It was hard enough pestering my husband that it's needs to be safe. I had him go over and above to make sure nothing could get to my babies. I had him dig much deeper down than necessary with the wire and put extra locks everywhere. I'm sure he was all set with my nagging. But what if I built up, maybe put a second level on the top where they could hang out or do they need more ground room?

 

[Birdsong 82]

The coop is a little small but it’s the run that’s really small. I’d be more concerned with that at the moment. If hers are anything like mine the only time they want to be inside the coop is to sleep even if it’s raining or snowing theyd rather be in a covered area in the run than inside their coop. I assumed most chickens were like that but maybe not

 

[Becca1223]

Neither the coop nor the run is big enough for 4 birds.

oh geesh, when I got the coop they said it was for 6 chickens. I was surprised though at how small the coop were for sale at the local feed store. They were much smaller for the same amount of chickens. I just chalked it up to me not knowing about chickens and maybe them wanting less room in the coop so the chickens can snuggle up or something. The run though I know is not big enough.

 

[Becca1223]

The coop is a little small but it’s the run that’s really small. I’d be more concerned with that at the moment. If hers are anything like mine the only time they want to be inside the coop is to sleep even if it’s raining or snowing theyd rather be in a covered area in the run than inside their coop. I assumed most chickens were like that but maybe not

Yes my chicken will only go in the coop to sleep. they like to run free range or stay in the run.

 

[Birdsong 82]

That would be an idea. I’m afraid with four chickens they’re all going to want to be at the same level at the same time. But I could be wrong. I’m only 5 foot tall and 100 pounds and I do a lot of the building for shelters at home With no prior experiencewhen you put your mind to something you would be amazed at what you can tackle.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Did they free range the yard before you guys built this? Would it be easier to try to put up some kind of fence between you and the neighbors?

 

[Birdsong 82]

Unfortunately a lot of people end up in that situation with the premade coop. They sell them with a certain amount of chickens but I don’t know where they come up with these amounts. Whatever they say it’s for I usually cut that in half. It makes me crazy that they sell them like that. Generally for a coop you would want 4 ft.² per chicken. I bought a premade coop run thing just for introducing the young ones or using it as like a chicken hospital if somebody is not feeling well. The one I bought said for six chickens. If I put six chickens in there they would not be able to move. I couldn’t even see two chickens being happy in that little thing. But the people who sell them know if they claim you can fit more chickens then you’ll be more likely to buy it.

 

[Becca1223]

Did they free range the yard before you guys built this? Would it be easier to try to put up some kind of fence between you and the neighbors?

I only let them run after the coop and run were built because i thought there was not enough room for them to be in there all day. we dont own our home so we wont be able to build a fence. What about chicken wire though? Could i make a fence with that? I mean they're chickens, do they just need a soft barrier to keep them from going next door? I hope so. That i think I could make myself Im sure.

 

[Birdsong 82]

You’re not too far from 4 ft.² per chicken but I would worry about the run first. You’re not the first person to end up in that situation definitely

 

[Birdsong 82]

If you’re In an area where you don’t need to be worried about predators during the day and they’re locked up at night chicken wire should definitely work as long as it’s high enough where they cannot fly over it. You could make a fence with chicken wire and stakes. If it’s just to keep chickens and it doesn’t need to be very strong