Large run building help

[bakersdozenroo]

Hello! We were letting our chickens free range outside but lost 1 to a hawk and then had a second hawk attack 2 days ago. The hawk missed the girls and they ran and hid under the pergola porch but that hawk was not scared of my husband, mom or myself at all. We decided to just build a larger run for them. We could build it ourselves as I don’t think it’s that hard, just don’t have the time. I asked a company and they said it would be $5k-$20k! When I priced out the materials it was less than $1k so I just cannot believe the labor would be $4k+. I was trying to see where I could find someone to just help build the run. Any suggestions?

 

[50-45-1]

Look local. You may have someone qualified close to you. Maybe someone who does handyman jobs that can build a fense to your specifications
Maybe do a local search on craigslist or post on Nextdoor for your community. I see alot of matching suggestions from community members.
Also check out your local hardware or lumber yard. Some have a tac board where you can find business cards.
I see alot of Amish building in our locale so I think there is a network for those opportunities. Good luck!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

Hello! We were letting our chickens free range outside but lost 1 to a hawk and then had a second hawk attack 2 days ago. The hawk missed the girls and they ran and hid under the pergola porch but that hawk was not scared of my husband, mom or myself at all. We decided to just build a larger run for them. We could build it ourselves as I don’t think it’s that hard, just don’t have the time. I asked a company and they said it would be $5k-$20k! When I priced out the materials it was less than $1k so I just cannot believe the labor would be $4k+. I was trying to see where I could find someone to just help build the run. Any suggestions?

It's crazy how much they charge for fencing these days. We got a quote for chain link fencing for the house we are moving into today. First quote, $7000! Second quote, $11,000!!! I am beginning to think our money is not worth much. We got some rolls of welded wire, and will spray paint the t posts black. Our dogs are one German Shepherd, and one Papillon. It's not even a really big yard , for being in town.

 

[fldiver97]

Yup, fencing is expensive these days.
My suggestion is to find a handyman or someone who’s able to do the work. Do as much as you can yourself. In my case I had someone do the wood frame, door and metal roof, then I attached (a ton…. Have an extra pair of hands help hold it in place so it’s easier to attach) 1/2 inch hardware cloth all around top to bottom. Either put a 2-3 foot hardware cloth skirt around the outside and/or cheap patio pavers to keep predators from digging under.
I was lucky, some of the tall post were already in place, the previous owners had dog kennels. They took the chainlink sections off when they moved. Saved me some money.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Where in general are you located? How big of a run do you want? Cattle panel hoop runs are cheap and easy and quick to build.