How should I do this? Integrating coop and run together

[svh]

I haven't built one yet, but research a "chunnel", or chicken tunnel.

I plan to incorporate some sort of chunnel to my setup in the near future, to connect the coop to a run that will be several feet away.

You would still have to do some cuttin on the fences though.

 

[HyperCello]

Maybe I am being simplistic here.....
Maybe leave the run off that comes with it and put it inside a dog run.....no need to stoop then.

It looks like a very short door on the end of the run. I wouldn't want to try to get into that run.

That's an option too, but I like the idea of having the shorter run so that if the chickens need to get away from my daughter (or any of her friends if they are in there with me), they have a spot they can run to. I'm hoping I don't have to get into that part of the coop very often....LOL.

 

[Ridgerunner]

12" wide and 18" tall will be good.

My second photo above is essentially a chunnel if you put it on the ground. I think I'd want something on the bottom to stop digging predators. If you put a pop door on it, put it on the side you can get to.

 

[NatJ]

Is this a 10 by 10 with 4 separate panels or all in on piece? If it is separate panels, use all 4 & angle the sides in to the size of the run on the coop & attach the two panels to the wood posts on the run. I did that for my guineas & zip tied them to the run 2 by 4s. Has ;lasted 10 years. If it's a wrap around kennel, you would have to cut a hole in the fence.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ennel-10-ft-w-x-10-ft-l-x-6-ft-h?cm_vc=IOPDP1
I'm planning on making a roof for it.

That kennel has 4 separate panels, so you could use Cindy's idea.
If you look closely at the photo, each side has a metal frame with the chainlink wire attached to it, and there are some metal fasteners at each corner. (One of the four sides has the door already mounted in it.)

I would get a bigger kennel, with a good roof(mesh or solid) and put the coop inside of it.

I haven't been able to find one that is bigger but not crazy expensive....

Would it be "crazy expensive" to just buy two of them?
I'm pretty sure you can put two together to make a 20 by 20 pen (2 pieces per side). If you don't want a 20' square, you could have a big octagon instead--those pieces can go together at just about any angle.

You'd still have to figure figure out the roof, of course, but it would be plenty big enough to put the entire coop/run inside the kennel.

 

[HyperCello]

That kennel has 4 separate panels, so you could use Cindy's idea.
If you look closely at the photo, each side has a metal frame with the chainlink wire attached to it, and there are some metal fasteners at each corner. (One of the four sides has the door already mounted in it.)





Would it be "crazy expensive" to just buy two of them?
I'm pretty sure you can put two together to make a 20 by 20 pen (2 pieces per side). If you don't want a 20' square, you could have a big octagon instead--those pieces can go together at just about any angle.

You'd still have to figure figure out the roof, of course, but it would be plenty big enough to put the entire coop/run inside the kennel.

Hmmm....so it is! I can't tell you how many kennels I have looked at over the last week! My yard won't support a 20' one and still have room for my dogs to run around (and actually, that might break the law where I'm at.....the coop has to be 20' away from all property lines, and my backyard isn't super big), but maybe if I can get an extension panel or two.....or do Cindy's idea for it. It's always nice to have options.

 

[NatJ]

Hmmm....so it is! I can't tell you how many kennels I have looked at over the last week! My yard won't support a 20' one and still have room for my dogs to run around (and actually, that might break the law where I'm at.....the coop has to be 20' away from all property lines, and my backyard isn't super big), but maybe if I can get an extension panel or two.....or do Cindy's idea for it. It's always nice to have options.

You can also make it 10 feet by 20 feet, using 6 panels. Or make a funny shape with corner, maybe like a letter L. One crazy thing is that it's sometimes more expensive to buy two extra panels, than to buy an entire extra run! (If you don't use all the panels of a second run, you may be able to give them away or sell them on Craigslist, rather than having them take up space at your place forever.)

About the law where you live--is the "coop" just the smaller part, or the entire kennel too? It might make a difference in where you're allowed to put it.

 

[HyperCello]

You can also make it 10 feet by 20 feet, using 6 panels. Or make a funny shape with corner, maybe like a letter L. One crazy thing is that it's sometimes more expensive to buy two extra panels, than to buy an entire extra run! (If you don't use all the panels of a second run, you may be able to give them away or sell them on Craigslist, rather than having them take up space at your place forever.)

About the law where you live--is the "coop" just the smaller part, or the entire kennel too? It might make a difference in where you're allowed to put it.

I emailed to see if I needed a permit for the chickens or the coop, and the wording I got back was --"In addition, ‘exterior closures’ need to be set back at least 20 feet from every lot line on a residential property. " I take that as the kennel as well. I know the township enforces the laws as well (my parents always get a notice if their camper is in their driveway for more than the 3 days it is allowed before/after a trip). I may see how the first one looks, and how much room I have left, and then possibly buy a second one to take panels from.

 

[aart]

You can also make it 10 feet by 20 feet, using 6 panels.

Yeppers, would only need two extra panels.
@HyperCello ...ask them of you can buy extra panels.

 

[NatJ]

I emailed to see if I needed a permit for the chickens or the coop, and the wording I got back was --"In addition, ‘exterior closures’ need to be set back at least 20 feet from every lot line on a residential property. " I take that as the kennel as well. I know the township enforces the laws as well (my parents always get a notice if their camper is in their driveway for more than the 3 days it is allowed before/after a trip)

That's quite clear--which is actually nice, because now you know exactly what they expect. But I agree it would apply to the kennel, too.

I may see how the first one looks, and how much room I have left, and then possibly buy a second one to take panels from.

That sounds like a great idea!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Maybe I am being simplistic here.....
Maybe leave the run off that comes with it and put it inside a dog run.....no need to stoop then.

That's an option too, but I like the idea of having the shorter run so that if the chickens need to get away from my daughter (or any of her friends if they are in there with me), they have a spot they can run to. I'm hoping I don't have to get into that part of the coop very often....LOL.

Being lazy I'd do it that way. You can take the run parts you don't use and just have them around as part of the clutter for the chickens to hide behind in - I still use pieces of my old prefab's run for stuff (one turned into a covered feed station, another into a makeshift fence to keep the dogs from darting around the back corner of the house).