How big of a run for 10-12 chickens?

[PapaChaz]

I've seen several use hog clips, but that can run expensive if you have a lot to tie together, plus those aren't the easiest things to work with either.

Just my preference but it worked well for me was to get a small roll of electric fence wire and use it to 'sew' or 'tie' the edges together with. I cut a small piece of the electrical wire about 6 inches long, bent one end into a hook small enough to fit through the HC and I could push it through from the inside, hook the wire I was using to tie with and pull it back through. I did leave the zip ties I used to hold it together with during the build, but the sun will make short work of those in no time, I'll pick em up as the dry rot and break off

 

[ChickenDaddy523]

I built a foundation using cinder blocks and concrete. I dug some dirt out and put rock in and around the pin for the flooring. Inside the coop I used ceder and vinyl.

New question....since I'm planning on using the poop board, do you think i can get away with not putting flooring down?

We already have the plywood and vinyl but if I can get away from dealing with having to cut the sheets...that's less my honey has to do.
I can work many power tools...the skill saw freaks me out.
My honey works hard during the week and I'm trying to do as much as I can by myself. He seems more accepting to my crazy ideas when he can reep the rewards...hehe

 

[skylavaulter]

Not sure if anyone has answered this yet, but as far as run size...we are building a 15x15' run (6ft high) for our 12 chickens and it looks like it's going to be a great size for that number. We ordered 200' of 36" hardwire cloth, so the framing for the run was done in 6 foot squares with a vertical midbeam in the center (so each half is 3ft) to accomodate the 36" hardwire cloth on either side of it. Each panel was just placed next to each other and screwed together. Boom...walls. Since the size of the run is 15x15', we had to make a few panels 3' for that last 3 feet of space on all sides. We will be doing the roof the same way...large support beam in the center and 7.5x7.5' panels that will be screwed together and anchored onto the center beam and outer walls. I like it this way because if you ever have a problem area (wood rot, tree falls on part of the roof and damages it, etc) you can just remove that 6x6' or 7.5x7.5' panel and work on it/ replace it instead of messing up the whole wall / roof of the run.

Oh and our coop is 8x4 - it'll be snug, but they'll just be in it for laying and sleeping.

 

[skylavaulter]

 

[bdjh]

We did exactly the same thing, but with 4' sections and 4' mesh. 2 years so far and everything seems to be holding up fine.

 

[Finnie]

Quote:
That is nice to know. I like the panel idea. I've read other people on BYC using it. But I wondered how sturdy that type of construction is, compared to conventional framed walls. Thanks.

 

[aart]

Quote:
That is nice to know. I like the panel idea. I've read other people on BYC using it. But I wondered how sturdy that type of construction is, compared to conventional framed walls. Thanks.
Depends on what kind of roof framing the walls are holding up.

 

[TxChick77]

Quote:
This is what I had in mind. Think I'm going to go ahead and order the welded wire for the run. After adding the hardware cloth to coop yesterday and making the coop door, it's going quick. I want to add the rest of the HC to the perimeter buried 1.5 ft out leaving me half a foot to attach to the frame of the run. Hubby isn't completely sold on adding a top to the run. Our neighbors don't have their run covered or fenced on top and they've had no issues in 10yrs. Our backyards are heavily wooded, so hawks can't get a clear view with flybys. Not sure how hard I should press this issue. I made it clear I would agree but the first incident, a top is going up.

 

[PapaChaz]

sounds like it's coming along well! looking forward to pics.

as for a top on the run, you can do welded wire for that, and it's easy enough to add later if you need to. It's not just hawks though, raccoons can and will climb over a fence

 

[TxChick77]

Quote:
Good point about the climbing. Can anyone give me some points on bending the HC? Wanted to work on adding the HC around the coop today while the ground is soft from yesterday's showers. That stuff is the devil. Ouch. Even with gloves. I'm on my phone and can't figure out how to upload progress pics from yesterday. Nothing exciting. We have rain forecasted for the weekend. I'm going to go nuts.