Looking for extra run

[mowin]

I'd make a hoop run and put it over the run of the small coop.
They are easy to build, and can take snow load if done properly. Are tall enough to walk in. A tarp over the top will keep the snow off the smaller run.

 

[CarlaCo]

Sorry, I had a line deleted, if you build out the run, can you raise one side?

What do you mean? So it has a slanted roof? We were going to add a slanted roof to the mini run. We weren’t planning on building an extra run but hopefully buying something. I dunno. I have not given up my dream of this coop being mobile. So I’d like something that can be easily detached and moved separately.
If we get something small that’s still walk in with a peaked roof perhaps we could cover the roof and the sides to stop most of the snow from getting in? Would something out of galvanized metal hold up to high winds if it’s covered or would it turn into an expensive kite?

 

[CarlaCo]

I'd make a hoop run and put it over the run of the small coop.
They are easy to build, and can take snow load if done properly. Are tall enough to walk in. A tarp over the top will keep the snow off the smaller run.

It’s a good idea, but I don’t think I want something big enough to cover the whole coop and if it’s just small enough to cover the mini run then the door will not be accessible to get into the mini run.

Next year we’ll see if we are fed up enough to dismantle the mini run and try to attach something light enough but walk in size. This stupid 4’ height is nuts.

 

[BooBooMagoo]

It’s a good idea, but I don’t think I want something big enough to cover the whole coop and if it’s just small enough to cover the mini run then the door will not be accessible to get into the mini run.

Next year we’ll see if we are fed up enough to dismantle the mini run and try to attach something light enough but walk in size. This stupid 4’ height is nuts.

We bought a prefab coop with run that was even smaller & way less nice than that one. Was supposed to house 10 chickens…yeah right. We built a study 12x8 hoop run and attached the coop to the outside so the coop yard opens into the hoop run. 3/4 is covered in the top and sides and the front and back walls are uncovered though the coop takes up 1/2 the back wall in height so just the top half is uncovered so lots of ventilation and shade but the front 1/4 still gets sun (and rain unfortunately). All the feed and water is in the covered part of the run so not taking up space in the coop. I have vining plants growing up the sides that are open for additional shade & it’s under a giant willow tree. Works great for us and is perfect size for our 9 girls. In East TN we don’t get hardly any snow and it only gets truly cold cold for maybe 3 weeks so we’ll see how it works for the winter.

 

[BooBooMagoo]

hey what about building a 4 ft high frame underneath the entire thing hardware cloth it lift it on it & take the tractor wheels off..that would make that space usable & it tall enough to walk in. Make the front and back doors full sized, obviously lol. Would be a tall ladder to get into the coop but at least no one would be crawling around on their belly.

 

[mowin]

It’s a good idea, but I don’t think I want something big enough to cover the whole coop and if it’s just small enough to cover the mini run then the door will not be accessible to get into the mini run.

Next year we’ll see if we are fed up enough to dismantle the mini run and try to attach something light enough but walk in size. This stupid 4’ height is nuts.

You mentioned you would prefer a walkin run. Going to be difficult making a walkin run that isn't big enough to cover that little coop. That's why I recommend a hoop run. You don't have to cover the entire thing. Just what you wanted to.

 

[Krugerrand]

You mentioned you would prefer a walkin run. Going to be difficult making a walkin run that isn't big enough to cover that little coop. That's why I recommend a hoop run. You don't have to cover the entire thing. Just what you wanted to.

I like hoop runs!

If your ground can utilize steel t-posts (not super sandy, etc) check out how @Blooie did hers. Her coop page has great pictures and shows how simple it can be.

I followed these steps for my run as well.

 

[CarlaCo]

You mentioned you would prefer a walkin run. Going to be difficult making a walkin run that isn't big enough to cover that little coop. That's why I recommend a hoop run. You don't have to cover the entire thing. Just what you wanted to.

I’ll have to look at how to make one. I couldn’t picture it. I was hoping to just purchase something and make adjustments.
Would a hoop run stake in the ground good? Would it hold up to our winds?

 

[CarlaCo]

I like hoop runs!

If your ground can utilize steel t-posts (not super sandy, etc) check out how @Blooie did hers. Her coop page has great pictures and shows how simple it can be.

I followed these steps for my run as well.

THanks so much. I’ll take a look.

 

[CarlaCo]

THanks so much. I’ll take a look.

Oh I see how it is. But we wouldn’t be able to move it about the yard. If I built that, I’d feel like the coop has to stay put.
We may end up there eventually, but I really wanted to see how it would be moving them about. They’ll get such a variety of weeds and bugs that way. And their poo will fertilize my grass. That was. The dream anyway. We’ll see if we tire of it, lol.
If we had something I could disconnect and move easily they could still travel.