Has anyone used a chain link dog kennel for their chicken run?

[JenMT]

Pro's and con's?

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

My opinion is they work great. We just put 2 inch chicken wire over the top, and its done. We have several of them we use.
ETA: Con is they are a bit pricey unless you can find a used one.

 

[jvls1942]

I have a 8 x 16 that I use for everything. the dog even goes into it once in awhile.. I drag mine around the property with the tractor.. I also have 3 large fenced in areas with 4ft high chainlink.. most of the birds stay in pretty well.. If a few fly out, no big deal as long as the majority stay in.

I still have 7 rolls that I haven't used yet.. I got a super good deal on it a few years ago..

 

[chellyroo]

My husband proposed this for our new chicks and coop, but when I looked at one set up at the farm supply, I was concerned about all the gaps I saw along the bottom, where different sections met. I was afraid that predators could easily squeeze in.

 

[farmgirlie1031]

I have one. I also saw a post sometime on here about the cons where some type of large predator had been able to tear apart the chain link. I haven't ever had problems myself though even with the coyotes that run through (KNOCKS REAL HARD ON WOOD).

ETA: another known con is that it won't hold in small chicks. But if you don't ever plan to have small chicks it would be fine IMO.

ETA: Mine was $5.00. I wouldn't ever buy a brand new one as I don't think they are worth the price.

 

[NancyDz]

I would line the bottom of the sections with 1/2" hardware wire as some have had problems with raccoons reaching through and pulling the heads/ winds/feet of chickens through and killing them.
If they go in a coop at night that is predator proof, then I wouldnt worry about it. And of course put a top on for the same reasons and also hawks during the day.


Nancy

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
I have the chain-link & the hawk netting & the secure night-time coop. Works great. The fencing was recycled from a friend's trash, so it was cheap. It is a good set-up for me, as I live in a neighborhood w/o bears or coyotes. We put the girls up too early to worry about the random raccoon.

That said, I am not sure I'd spring for a $300 kennel kit anywhere. I think landscaping posts and a roll of some type of fencing would be more economical (although uglier).

 

[bockbock2008]

Here is a similar post from a few motnhs ago

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=123166

 

[Opa]

I use a cyclone fence dog kennel for one of my runs and installed the door to swing in. They make electric fence posts and wire insulators for cyclone fence and with a hot wire I didn't need the smaller wire to exclude raccoons.

 

[Lobzi]

Your only concern might me the closure. My sis had a raccoon incident with her set-up. She claimed that the raccoon was trapped inside the next morning with all the carnage. He was evidential able to spring the gate enough to get in but then not escape.