Chicken Tunnel or Tube?

[Engteacher]

Because of the way the inside of the coop is laid out, I have to figure out a way to make a covered tunnel or tube of some sort. The pop-door is on the north, but the run is on the east. The total distance is about 8 feet. I just want to be sure that the chickens stay enclosed and protected out to the run and that they can go in and out themselves. We have corn fields and coyotes all around us, so I can't let them roam.

Anyone out there build a tunnel for their birds? I'd love to see a picture!

 

[raro]

I did. But you might not like the dorky way I did it! I only needed about a 2-3 foot tunnel, so I cut the bottom out of a plastic hamper. You could tie two hampers together to make a longer one, I suppose. Not exactly glamorous, but it did the trick for me!

 

[OregonChickenGal]

Maybe hardware cloth would work. Roll it up into a cylinder connect all the cylinders together to make a tunnel. Cover it with a tarp.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Joe Bryant did: (scroll down a ways)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=9574

 

[mcostas]

You make a frame out of pvc by sticking the ends in the ground, then cover it with hardware cloth or something.


I was going to make a chicken moat like this but decided on a pen instead. I might make a moat someday though.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You could easily use 2x2s to make a tunnel frame and cover it with hardware cloth.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Here's what I did. Hope it helps

 

[Engteacher]

These are all great ideas, everyone. Thank you for your suggestions and even pictures. My other complicating factor is that I have to think of snow and snow removal because we're in MN and to keep the tunnel operational, I would need to keep the tunnel free of snow accumulation in the winter time. If I enclose it, it might be too dark and spook the chickens from going into it. Maybe I could use clear plexiglass or corrugated plastic to shelter it. That way, it would still be bright enough for them.

I loved your solution, Laurel RD! Very slick!

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

I plan to cover the tunnel with clear plastic this winter to block the snow.