chicken run

[Mikeresa]

Hello,
We are going to change our current chicken coop area. I would like to make the run bigger. The run we have now is attached to our coop that has an automatic door. The run is enclosed with a top on it. I think I would like to change it to a taller picket fence design that will go around the coop and have more space for pecking and scratching BUT I want it without a top. What are your suggestions enclosed with a top? or without a top?

 

[Parront]

Hello,
We are going to change our current chicken coop area. I would like to make the run bigger. The run we have now is attached to our coop that has an automatic door. The run is enclosed with a top on it. I think I would like to change it to a taller picket fence design that will go around the coop and have more space for pecking and scratching BUT I want it without a top. What are your suggestions enclosed with a top? or without a top?

Unless you have hawks and other flying predators, you can get along without a top. When I lived in sub-urban California we never had a cover over our run. I did have to trim some Leghorn wings to keep them inside!

 

[Kdlevesque]

I personally like a top...we have a bunch of hawks around and the thought of them getting carried away terrifies me.

 

[Parront]

I personally like a top...we have a bunch of hawks around and the thought of them getting carried away terrifies me.

If hawks are a factor, a top of some kind makes a lot of sense. We have Peregrine Falcons nesting not too far away, & I plan to keep chicks under cover!

 

[Kdlevesque]

One of my coworkers recently witnessed one of her orpingtons being carried away. The hawk grabbed it, started flying away and then dropped her. Luckily, her hen escaped with minor injuries. With that being said, she still lets hers free range but she has about 50ish.

 

[Parront]

One of my coworkers recently witnessed one of her orpingtons being carried away. The hawk grabbed it, started flying away and then dropped her. Luckily, her hen escaped with minor injuries. With that being said, she still lets hers free range but she has about 50ish.

An adult Orpington was above the hawks load limit! LOL. The falcons around here would probably be overloaded by a full-grown hen. I know one person in San Diego who ran fishing line overhead to protect his pond from the local seagulls! They were eating his expensive golden carp.

 

[so lucky]

I would advise a top, even if it is just chicken wire. I once had a chicken jump/fly out of a 6' high run because a dog was terrorizing the chickens running around the outside of the run. Once the chicken was out, he grabbed her.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I like a run that is completely enclosed. My chickens do not allgo inside the coop to roost at night and like to roost in the run. Having them enclosed against nighttime predators is essential. I do not close the door from coop to run. They have food and water in the run, they are safe and I don't have to get up early to let them out in the morning!!

 

[Mikeresa]

Thanks for your feedback. We do see the occasional hawk and owl. A top is probably the way to go.

 

[Parront]

Thanks for your feedback. We do see the occasional hawk and owl. A top is probably the way to go.

With a top of light weight bird mesh you will probably want the side fencing to be tall enough for you to walk into the run. That is why I left it off when we had no flying predators.