How can I build a run as cheaply as possible?

[huntinwidow]

Quote:
Landscape timbers will work well for a short time (3-5 years) but they are not treated to the same degree as treated 4x4s. The 4x4s will last longer. Just from experience.
Built a split rail fence with 4x4 posts and landscape timber rails. The rails were done in long before the posts.

 

[new chicken little]

I just finished a 10 x 4 run with a 4 x 4 coop on stilts included. I posted adds on craigslist asking for free wood. All I paid for was the hardware and chicken wire. I was shocked how much good free wood is out there.

 

[Ema]

check out my personal byc page I built one out of pallets, but I do allow them free range in spring summer and fall as much as possible

Oh by the way

Ema

 

[gottadance]

Quote:
Yes, I posted a request on freecycle.org for all of the items I was looking for and someone e-mailed me that they were taking apart their deck and had a lot of wood to give me - it'll be enough to build my 8x8 coop and it's free - but yes, a day full of nail pulling ahead of me as well!

Oh - also - I went to a garage sale and got a large tarp - like new - to cover part of the run with - I'm in Chicago and need some protection for the girls from all of that snow. I'm going to put hardware cloth over the dog kennel run I'm getting off of craigslist, then put the tarp over it - but I'm going to make it angled 8 ft down to 6 foot to keep the snow sliding off.

Yesterday I also got a bunch of wood from Home Depot's scrap pile - 18 pieces all at least 6ft long - for $16. Basically in great shape with minor stuff wrong with them.

 

[Chick Charm]

The "cheapest" way I have found is to look on local adds where someone has already built some sort of coop or run and wants to get rid of it. I have seen many for "free". You would have to provide the "elbow grease" and do the moving yourself. But free is a good start. Otherwise used 2 x 4's and, dare I say, "CHICKEN WIRE". I personally have never used chicken wire but you can find it very inexpensive.

 

[fried green eggs]

I used 3 1/2"x4" Landscape Timbers as my line post for my horses electric fence since 1996 and have only needed to replace a few so far. Most have of those broke because we got too close with the lawn mower deck. As a temp. fix to support a bad post - I drop a steel T-post to the back side and wire it tight.