I need to figure out the most economical run for the chickens.

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Hey everyone,

I had some ideas that I have been pondering about a chicken run, first of all I think a small run would be a waist of money because the chickens eat all the bugs and plants in that area until dirt is all that's left so what's the point in that. Second I want them to be able to have a larger area to run around in not just a small area not much bigger than the coop. I have a 1/4-1/2 acre area fenced in that was once for horses, I planned to put chain link, 2x4 fence or whatever I can get a deal on and attach that to the existing fence than do a electric fence on the outside to keep coons, coyotes ext from getting to my chickens, than do a bunch of string above to help with Hawks and Owls, my question is would it benefit me to go to all that effort or would I be better off just making a fully enclosed run which would be less materials and cheeper? I tend to over think and over do things like this compared to the chickens being just as happy with a small run. Also do to my job I am unable to close them up in there coop in the evening, I wouldn't get home until after 11pm it would be way past dark by than.

 

[ninjawesome]

Chickens aren't from royal blood BUT I almost feel like they are. To answer your question, it's really up to you. If I were you and if I had nothing to do with that extra piece of land, I'd totally recommend you'd do you huge run plan. If you do have something else you'd rather do with that amount of space, do it. It's really up to you, but the more bugs, grass and weeds your hens will eat, the happier and healthier they'll be, and your eggs will have more protein. If I were you I'd go with plan A.

 

[Emma Miriam]

I agree! But, if you can't close the chickens in every night, you either need to invest in an automatic door or make your run 100% predator proof. If you bought an automatic door, the larger run would be great. But while fencing and hawk netting are enough to keep daytime predators out, nighttime predators like raccoons and weasels would slip through, or climb up and rip through, the netting. Your chickens wouldn't last long at night in a run like that. So if you can't buy an automatic door, you'd have to build a smaller run and go crazy with predator-proofing: 1/2 inch hardware cloth on all sides and buried a foot into the ground. And even then, it's hard to make runs fully predator-proof.

Personally, I'd recommend the automatic door and large run, but up to you.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I wouldn't do netting, I will only do heavy galvanized fence or chain link and that's only to slow predators down so they would get hit harder by the electric fence, if a predator gets 3000 volts it will think twice about trying again, but the steel fence and electric fence would almost be more expensive than a small critter proof run. I could prob make a automatic door cheeper than I could buy that controller for lol but I have till spring to figure it out I guess, they will be too young to go outside before winter anyway

 

[Emma Miriam]

Electric fencing can be great...but yes, it's expensive too. Just make sure that if you choose to leave your chickens out at night, do your research on nighttime predators. Small animals like weasels might be able to squeeze through tiny openings in electric fencing without touching the wire, depending on your setup. Just keep it in mind

Let us know if you have any other questions!