Hoop-style portable run

[KirstenJL]

I would like to build a small hoop-type run light enough that I could move it myself around the lawn so my chickens can get some greens. I'm planning on a base of 2 x 4's, maybe 4' x 8' or 6' x 8' and I would like it to be tall enough that I could easily get inside it--maybe 4' or 5'. My question is what would I use for the hoops that's light and flexible enough to be bent without equipment?

 

[buckbeak]

PVC or tent poles work well.

 

[latebloomer]

Quote:
would you use chicken wire over the hoops?

and if you aren't home during the day when the chickens are in the run are you worried about predators?

 

[KirstenJL]

I'm planning to cover the run securely with hardware cloth (and have an apron of hardware cloth at the bottom) and put some sort of lean-to type shelter inside. It would need to be dog-proof for daytime use. Right now I'm envisioning this as sort of a chicken spa/tractor that I'd put a couple of hens in for the day when the weather's nice (and then returning them to the main coop at night), but I can also see turning it into more permanent isolation or broody coop if I should need one. In that case, I'd consider investing in some more electric poultry netting--it's been working fabulously for my current set-up.