Different run material ideas

[PartyOnARoost]

I am building a run right now, I already got the base built. Is there any other material I could use other than chicken wire for the top and sides, maybe something better than chicken wire even. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[HEChicken]

Look for hardware cloth. It is built much sturdier than chicken wire and will better withstand attempts by predators to get in. Chicken wire is much better at containing chickens to an area than it is at keeping them safe - most predators, including the family dog, can rip right through.

I would look for the 1/2" hardware cloth. Anything bigger and a raccoon can stick its paw through, grab a chicken and drag it out through the opening.

 

[Stumpy]

HEChicken has given you great advice. I am building my run right now and have used 48" wide 1/2" hardware cloth from www.wayfair.com.

 

[Dwkuska]

Check your area or online for industrial fishing nets. Usually fishing companies try to give the away or recycle them. Most of the nets are strong enough (unfortunately) that they capture dolphins and sharks. Also they are made of materials that wont rot or rust for many many years. Good luck to you friend!

 

[JimWWhite]

This is our run with the coop inside. A friend was taking down a carport at his new house and gave it to me. I re-used / re-purposed it into a chicken run. I laid down a two-inch bed of what they call crush 'n run which is gravel and sand they use for gravel roads and driveways here in the South, and then another three inches of course creek sand. Then I moved the coop I built into it and added the gate and enclosed it with 2x4 welded wire fabric which is strong enough to keep most predators at bay. Recently we got five 8-week old guinea keats and put them in the run. We got rid of our 24 or so Gold Comets earlier in the year because they were pretty much spent. A friend wanted them and he took them and let them free-range on his land. Some were still laying so he's happy. We're getting another 24 Black Sex Links in early September and they'll be going in here. But because the guineas love to fly we had to add the chicken wire fabric to the top so they couldn't fly out. I don't think predators will be a problem with that. And what you see growing in the run are about 30 volunteer tomato plants that came up and are healthier than the ones I'm trying to grow in the garden!

 

[joan1708]

That is a nice looking structure! And you got it for nothing - that's great! Does 2x4 welded wire keep out weasels or rats? I've heard guineas can deter weasels, so maybe you don't have to worry about that. Do you think coons could climb up and tear through the chicken wire at the top? You have had chickens for a while so it must be OK where you are. I read so many stories in the predator section, I guess I'm a little paranoid.

 

[PartyOnARoost]

That is a nice looking structure! And you got it for nothing - that's great! Does 2x4 welded wire keep out weasels or rats? I've heard guineas can deter weasels, so maybe you don't have to worry about that. Do you think coons could climb up and tear through the chicken wire at the top? You have had chickens for a while so it must be OK where you are. I read so many stories in the predator section, I guess I'm a little paranoid.

Hahaha i know I get paranoid about the predators too

 

[PartyOnARoost]

Thanks guys for your great posts!! Helped a lot :