How to Build a Run

[Eggcellent8]

We are getting ready to build a run for the chickens attached to our in-garage coop, but I was wondering the best way to do this. I want it to be strong enough to keep them safe from predators, but I plan on locking them up at night, so I don't want to over do it. We already have a 1 1/2 foot trench around the perimeter and some hardware cloth, but that is about it. What kinds of materials should I use? I have heard that hardware cloth is strong, but it is also really expensive.

Also, what the best way to build a chicken door?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stumpy]

I ordered a 50-foot roll of 48" hardware cloth from Wayfair for half the price I would have had to pay at a local store.

 

[gale65]

We used 6' high 2 x 4 welded wire fencing all around (sunk into the ground about a foot). Then we added chicken wire on the bottom half of the run. This summer we're going on vacation and there's no one that can come out twice a day to let them in and out, and we don't trust the auto doors in the heat of summer, so we're going to cover the bottom half with 1/2" hardware cloth and the rest with chicken wire and keep the door open. And pray nothing manages to get in. We'll have someone come out once a day to water and feed and get eggs. We just don't know of anyone who can come early in the morning and again after dark.

 

[chfite]

I built a 6 foot fence using 2x4 welded wire with an apron of the same wire extending 2 feet out from the bottom on the ground with some dirt on it. I installed chicken wire on the inside to prevent reaching through on the bottom 2 feet of the run. The idea is that the chicken wire prevents reaching in and being inside, it cannot be ripped apart. The vents on the coop itself are covered in 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

I lock my chickens inside at night, but consider my run to be safe from the likely predators in my locale.


Chris

 

[chefchick]

The frame of our run is made from recycled 1" pipe, covered with 1/2" welded wire (we used zip ties to attach it) the bottom of the fence is alsoheld by the pipes and it extends out from the sides about two feet. That was covered with dirt, but I have plans to edge it with patio stones this summer. we are in the process of putting an addition on the coop to make room for the newbies. We have an area in our run and coop that can be temporarily partitioned off so the old and new get used to each other before they are together full time.

 

[Eggcellent8]

Thank you everyone for all of the ideas! One more question. Did any of you frame your run with 2 x 4's?

 

[rgearhead]

I'm almost done with my little coop and run...my chicks are 9 weeks old and I'm dieing to move them out side... the run is 5'x 10' I had to level the ground next to the shed, so i drove in some landscape timbers and back filled with old clay and dirt..and right before the last layer went on i doubled up chicken wire in the dirt..then went over that with leveling sand.. and last night I bent some 2' re-bar so it has a hook on the end to clamp down on the bottom pipe of the run when i drive them in... and almost done covering the top with chicken wire...Hop this works after doing all of this..
my 2 big birds...


what u think?

 

[gale65]

Our run is framed with 4 x 4 posts with 2 x 4 across the top part. So 4 x 4 vertical posts and 2 x 4 horizontal braces.

 

[Chickee Momma]

Really nice pictures! I love my chickens. I have 5 granddaughters that love my chickens too. I am adding more run space becase I am getting more chickens. Very similar to what I see in your picture. I am adding, as I added on my origianl run a 12" tall board boarder around the base of my run because of raccoons. We have them here.It was reccomended because young & full grown raccoons can reach in and grab a chickens head or neck before they can avoid it. It was easy. Bet you could use just about any kind of panel or mesh along the bottom. I use plastic wire ties, they work well and as I put them outside rather than inside, the chickens don't peck at them.Happy Chickening!

 

[Brookliner]

I wouldd still put 1/2 inch hardware cloth at least 2 ft up around the bottom to prevent raccoons etc. grabbing your chickens and eating them through the fencing. I had this happen a few years ago. I know it sounds gross but it was a mess to clean up.