Do I need a run?

[patandchickens]

It can be as hard or harder to repair a bedraggled old building to the point where you'd be safe putting chickens in it as it would be to build a new one, so I can see where you're coming from.

What about this -- could you build run panels that could be set up off your garage for now (allowing you to put the chickens in the garage pen for the time being, and still let them have a reasonably secure run that you could plastic-over for winter). But then as time/finances/ambition permits in the future, if you ever *should* fix up the old milkhouse for chickens, you could just move the run panels and re-use them as a run over there?

Basically you would make the panels as large (like 5x8) rectangular frames with strong welded wire or hardwarecloth stapled or screwed onto them; then you would bolt the panels together at fenceposts that you sunk into the ground. Obviously the fenceposts would be the harder part to move

but at least the main part of the run - and the main expense of it - could be relocated if you ever got the milkhouse going.

Just an idea,

Pat

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

If I had 3 acres, I'd build a coop outside, but I don't so my coop is in the garage. We built it into a corner and framed up the other two sides. We insulated the garage walls between the studs then covered it all with 1/2 inch compressed board stuff (can you tell I didn't actually do it?!) We framed in an old wooden door and used the boards half way up and chicken wire the rest up to the ceiling.

I imagine our Ohio winters are similar to yours, and the birds were fine. Only problem we have is the water freezing so I'm checking into heated waterers this year. I don't have a run so they stay in the coop all winter. The goal is to put one out behind the garage and make a door so they can go in and out.