Finally moving along...

[21hens-incharge]

That would be correct on how I built my door.
I am sure there are many ways to make a door. I found this way easier for me since I do have a compound miter saw. (Birthday gift from my son several yeas back)
I am a bit of a tool hoarder according to the family. That and I like to make things myself rather than pay someone to mess things up. I can mess it up well enough on my own lol.

 

[SemperChicken]

Cool. I've got my door built and just haven't put it up yet. These thunderstorms lately have really been irritating me. I should have the door side of the run finished this week. Hopefully.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Did my info help you to get the door done up?
I am looking forward to seeing the pics of the finished run. You have worked hard on it and should be proud of your work.

 

[SemperChicken]

Oh I finally got it finished! Yesterday I put wire up on the left side then today I put wire up on the right side and did the door. I am very happy with how it all turned out. As you can see in the picture, the right frame piece isn't straight... But I figure it'll be ok. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this. I think it looks great!

I still want to put a board up above the door to fill that spot and also going to drill a hole above the latch so I can feed a piece of string to the inside of the run in case I lock myself in lol.

Other than the chicken wire, any suggestions or remarks are welcome! Lol.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Looks good!
The door opens outward so that is nice. Would hate to have to use the door to shove a sick chicken with. Anti locking yourself in string is another good idea. ( I learned that the hard way lol )
Even if every post and board was plumb and level the ground shifts and would eventually throw things off a bit. I think you did a really nice job. You should be proud of your hard work.

 

[SemperChicken]

This is true, about the ground shifting and all. I'm glad that the door doesn't do any rubbing, for now lol. Also, I laid a piece of 1x4 on that lower board, so the door has an inch clearance on the bottom.

Now to add some things inside for the girls and guy such as another water source and a roosting bar. I've not had luck with building a dust bathing area cause they never seem to get the hint, and always manage to bathe elsewhere lol.

One thing at a time, but I also want to add some landscaping on the nesting box side of the run.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine tend to dust wherever they feel the dust is just right. I do encourage them some with pete moss and some wood ash. They love the pete moss and want to dig in it then later I do see them bathing in it.

 

[SemperChicken]

Ah wood ash. Good to know since we have a burn barrel that we use for yard waste.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Just plain wood ash. Other items can leave toxic chemicals. Charcoal for example is a treated item and should NEVER be used in the animals area.
Make sure if you are adding ash it is like from a wood fireplace. You can make your own if you like but it needs to be pure wood no chemicals at all.
I also sift the big chunks out and toss them in the compost bin to break down more.

 

[SemperChicken]

Quote:
Well thanks for clearing that up. Not sure if I would've recognized the difference, or found that out. So to kinda close up this thread, just wanted to share my expenses. Even though it was a grueling experience with having to tackle getting things done on the run and manage two newborns, seeing the total spent has made me appreciate it. I did buy two tools for me to use, and to keep for future projects, which were a cordless circ saw and a cordless impact drill. Those two items together ran me about $124. With all the wood, posts, concrete mix, netting, nails, 2x4's, etc.... it all came out to $419. Subtract the $124 and I spent just under $300 to construct the 8x12 run. I still want to do some additions for the chickens such as places to perch and I've been contemplating building one of those treadle feeders so I can keep a feeder outside the coop, but we'll see. I have mainly been finding myself shooting the squirrels that attempt to mess with the food (got one of those high powered pellet guns). Whenever we get the fence extended, I'll upgrade the run space and build on it behind the coop. We still own a good chunk of that land beyond the trees, back up against that building you see in the background on the left of the picture (previous owners just didn't finish clearing the trees).