Easy chicken run plans?

[SomersetGirl]

I was going to try and incorporate a wall, side of a garage and existing fencing into my coop plans, currently the area is laid with gravel and small section of grass. Will this be ok? Will be letting them out into the main garden to free range when I am about so they will have access to a large area of grass there.

 

[jackhorn01]

I currently had the same concern as I am in the process of increasing the size of my set up dramatically. Use welded wire on the bottom. You know the square pattern stuff that looks like horse panel but is actually much thinner. Its like 60 bucks for a hundred feet. I wanted the same thing, a walk in run. I am using 4x4 posts, that part is expensive. Then gonna use the welded wire on the bottom of it for extra strength against dogs, coyotes etc.. then use the cheap hexagonal poultry netting for the next row and also on the cover. That hardware cloth is crazy priced. This route saved me a fortune. Also after you set up the dog kennel, bury hardware cloth or something similar, not poultry netting cause it will rust away too fast a foot deep all the way around it.

 

[SomersetGirl]

Ah, well I don't think I need anything quite as hardcore as you as I will lock them away at night and also I am in the UK so our main problem will be the badger/fox....hence the night time lock up. I think that will work easier for me too as I don't really want to spend a fortune.

 

[BLT79]

I find the chicken wire pricey! haha! rough cut 2x4's from our lumber yard will be cheaper! Thanks for the tip about the rusting underground. would not of thought of that!

 

[jackhorn01]

Yeah, it all does depend on your particular predator situation. We have foxes here as well, coyotes, and a big old black lab lol. Plus this has just turned into one of my main hobbies so I'm having fun with it.

 

[MattLangholtz]

What do you mean by this? "...all that is left is to attach one for or wider skirts along the outside of the arch..."? How tall is the wire fencing (as in, sold as what fencing height? I think they are sold in like 3' and 4' tall?)? What did you edge the pass-through hole cuts with, looks like duck tape? Thank you!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you, interesting thread!

 

[Mary Campagna]

Hi,

I am going to try this plan. Thanks for posting. It looks like you are using a bucket waterer on top of the run. Is that correct and if so, how is that bucket of water help up there?

best,
Alyssa

Alyssa my guess is it's a nipple waterer.

 

[Pstock44]

I used metal fence posts and 2x4 welded wire fence with 6 inches bent over flat on the ground. I used a dog run gate from TSC ($99) and bought a carport setup from harbor freight for shade and rain. Total run cost was about $350.

 

[Reedo5]

What is everyone's approach to making the bottom of the run secure from predators where your fence meets the ground?