Help With Run?

[K0k0shka]

These might be better for drainage.
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Even better! I haven't seen those before.

 

[Lesabrowning]

I was thinking 1/2" square mesh for the first 2 or 3 feet then switching to the hex netting for the rest since I have a ton of that.
I was thinking of using some sort of galvanized mending plates to secure the panels to each other and then 45 degree metal brackets for securing the diagonal roost bars to the posts. All using the decking screws.
I was planning on putting them about 3 feet high as well.



I didn't even think of doing buckets of concrete!! Nice idea! I might look into this, that way I can run support bars across the top. Thank you!

Buckets are a great idea. We did something similar in that we put cinderblocks around the run on top of the apron of hardware cloth and sunk 2x4's into concrete in cinderblocks. They are solid. This was just for the frame that holds our tin roof panels as we used chain link kennel panels for the run and then reinforced with hardware cloth, etc. Your drawings are beautiful!

 

[KimKat33]

They do work best with 4x4 posts instead of 2x4, but I'd recommend using 4x4 instead of 2x4 anyway, especially if you plan to put a tarp or anything else over the top that will accumulate snow and weigh everything down.

I would have never thought of those! Thank you! But do the 4x4s sit deep enough that they wont topple? Winters here are kind of unpredictable. Could be light, could be blizzard conditions.

These might be better for drainage.
View attachment 2364480

Funny enough, I was going to go grab those to put my shed/coop on top of before I found something else
The blocks definitely are more appealing to look at. I was thinking of ways I could decorate the buckets so they do not stand out as much.

We did something similar in that we put cinderblocks around the run on top of the apron of hardware cloth and sunk 2x4's into concrete in cinderblocks. They are solid. This was just for the frame that holds our tin roof panels as we used chain link kennel panels for the run and then reinforced with hardware cloth, etc. Your drawings are beautiful!

Do you happen to have any photos? If not that is okay! Thank you for the input and the compliment!

Thank you all for more ideas!

 

[K0k0shka]

I would have never thought of those! Thank you! But do the 4x4s sit deep enough that they wont topple? Winters here are kind of unpredictable. Could be light, could be blizzard conditions.

I'm not sure if they'll be enough on their own - maybe? I didn't want to gamble so I gave them a little help. I screwed a 6-inch bolt into the bottom of each post, sticking out about 4 inches, to go into the hole that's in the concrete block. I then mixed a small amount of concrete and poured it into the hole, then sunk the bolt in, and used the remaining concrete to seal the small gaps around the post and prevent water from collecting in there. My run hasn't been through a winter yet, but everything feels very solid when I try to shake it.

 

[KimKat33]

I'm not sure if they'll be enough on their own - maybe? I didn't want to gamble so I gave them a little help. I screwed a 6-inch bolt into the bottom of each post, sticking out about 4 inches, to go into the hole that's in the concrete block. I then mixed a small amount of concrete and poured it into the hole, then sunk the bolt in, and used the remaining concrete to seal the small gaps around the post and prevent water from collecting in there. My run hasn't been through a winter yet, but everything feels very solid when I try to shake it.

View attachment 2364635

Awesome! Thank you for the description of what you did and the picture! I think I might stick with the buckets just because they still seem a little safer in my opinion (though I am probably wrong, I am not a builder lol) But again, thank you so much!

 

[aart]

But do the 4x4s sit deep enough that they wont topple?

Would not work for stand alone posts to hold up a fabric mesh.
Might work with your roof framing, but could be tricky to locate and build off of.
The roof framing would hold them in place pretty well once all together.

 

[K0k0shka]

Mine have top plates holding the posts together, so the run is fully framed and has a roof. I can't say if they'll be enough as stand alone posts, as I haven't done that before... You can look at my coop page if you want more details or inspiration - I have lots of pictures and explanations on there.

 

[KimKat33]

Mine have top plates holding the posts together, so the run is fully framed and has a roof. I can't say if they'll be enough as stand alone posts, as I haven't done that before... You can look at my coop page if you want more details or inspiration - I have lots of pictures and explanations on there.

I am planning on running 2x4 (in both directions) from the walls to the posts that will be in the middle of the run. Everything should be spaced out 5' apart

 

[Justicedog]

I didn't think of the mosquitos, but maybe I can figure something out, or buy the lids that go on the buckets and cut a 2x4 hole in that and caulk it?

I was also thinking of ways to make it blend in, but if I get some solid color buckets, I dont think I will mind it as much lol!

Thank you for your input!!

Spray paint the buckets and then paint them to look like flowers or bushes or chickens.