Coop and run with access to 2 yards

[roberthleeii]

I am trying to find a way to build a coop in my yard but have them free range in the pasture across the boundary fence to our back pasture.

I live on 5 acres where the front two have our houses, shop, and barn and the back 3 are basically a pasture with trees and a pond. I have my temporary chicken coop in the corner of the pasture area closer to the house and don’t like having it back there. I would like to build a large coop with shed/storage area in our front yard where all of the other buildings are. I want 10 chickens, so I am planning on room for at least 20 . We have a nice little area under some tall trees in the back corner where the coop would fit. The problem is that I need them free ranging everyday in the back area not the front area. I am trying to find a good way to extend my coop or run to or across the fence so they go back there. I would like to still have access to the front area but only when we are home and able to monitor them. The fence is a 5’ pipe fence with 2”x4” woven wire. The only thing I can think of is to have the run go up to the fence using it as the back end of the run, double the woven wire up with some hardware cloth, and frame out and cut a chicken door in the fence. I don’t find this the most elegant option and would like to know if anyone has attempted something like this or has any other ideas for how to handle this. I am attaching pictures of the area and fence where I am trying to accomplish this.

Thanks in advance,

-Robert

 

[BarnyardChaos]

How about a chicken tunnel? Something like this, but you could use a prettier support system if you want:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/img_2923-jpg.1105335/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-tunnel.73213/

Honestly, there are a thousand different ways to make one - with lumber, PVC pipe, greenhouse hoops, bent rigid wire panels, bamboo, trellis panels, you name it. Google some images for "chicken tunnel" and you'll get lots of ideas.