How to attach a run to this coop?

[Nat and Ana]

Attached is the coop (it's since been painted and hasp locks added.) Its on a slight slope with boulders in the ground. I want to build an 8x8x?(maybe 4') for the girls.

How can I attach the run to the coop so that I can let the chickens out via the drop-down pop door??? (pop door is in front, although now it has hasp locks on either side of the pop door.)

I'm open to any suggestions because I just can't visualize how to do this. The girls free ranged (supervised) but now the hawks are going crazy and even the wooded area isn't safe anymore.
Thanks!!

 

[snow5164]

I’d highly recommend making a run with the coop inside it , once you frame that up it won’t cost that much more and being able at stand up in it to clean and rake it out is priceless

You could even use the trees in your structure , good luck you have many possibilities

 

[Nat and Ana]

It would make things easier to make a big run around the coop but we don't want something that big in the back (we're in the burbs... and I bet there are building permits I'd need if I made it big enough to include the coop). thanks though!

 

[snow5164]

No building permit required , I’ve seen some the size of a gazebo,

Good luck , they do need room to run .

 

[Nat and Ana]

Anything more than 120sqft requires a permit... but I"m wondering if that's only if it has a floor... like a shed... any way, I don't think I could afford that much hardware cloth!

I'm planning on the run to be predator proof, so lots of hardware cloth.

 

[sheetmetaltom]

i agree with snow, since your coop is low maybe adding an extra section to the run and keeping the coop inside gives you added protection, as any predators will have to get into the run and then the coop to get at them. my coop is the same shape but bigger so i made my original run in sections, 4'w x 6' h and screwed them into the face of the coop on each side. when they exit the coop they are in a secure run, i also put wire on the ground so nothing can dig its way in. though for at least 4 hours a day mine also free range, i have alot of bushes and trees for them to hide when they get spooked. which is a couple times a day. only lost 1 to a predator in almost 6 years. lucky i guess. good luck and there are a lot of coop/run designs here for you to compare.

 

[townchicks]

A portable dog run would be big enough to include the coop, and wouldn't require a permit, as it isn't permanent. You can raise the coop up on cinderblocks or such, to let the chickens use the space under it. Those made from panels can be enlarged as needed.

 

[Nat and Ana]

I definitely plan to apron the wire out to deter digging. I've seen fox on our trail cam... and we have everything from coyote to bobcats.
the 4x6 idea in two sections is interesting, do you have any photos?
And how do you get your girls back in after free ranging? I've spent most of my summer coaxing birds back into the coop!!

 

[Nat and Ana]

townchicks, we've looked at kennels, they're pretty $$, but I'm guessing after doing the pressure treated lumber we might be adding up the $$ once the hardware cloth goes on. Still I'm hoping to put a run with a low profile next to the coop.

 

[blackdog043]

Still I'm hoping to put a run with a low profile next to the coop.

A low profile run(being bent over) will get old, a walk in run would be better. I highly recommend using deep litter in your run, if you want a run that will not smell bad. Check amazon and walmart.com for hardware cloth, they usually have better prices than big box stores.