Looking for some advice- building LARGE run

[TopazMaster91]

*EDIT* Updated with pics, post #11 !

So we started with a dinky prefab, which I quickly realized was far too small.
As a result, we have built from scratch a 7x6ft, 7ft tall coop, and we're just beginning the run. My dad said he'd help, but he's not a builder and I was a bit hesitant about it since we're going to make it huge as possible (24ft long, 16ft wide, 6-8ft tall) and it needs to be built solidly, it's not going to have a roof, only bird netting and a tarp covering part of it for shade and rain. Anyhow my dad insisted on helping build it before I was ready or sure about what to do, and so we got one wall framed (no hardware cloth yet) using his methods, using 8ft long 2x4s and some shorter pieces we cut. That is precisely when the obvious occurred to me, and him- how the hell is this 8ft tall, 24ft long section of wall even going to STAND UP without breaking apart or just falling over?! And for that matter, how can we do this WITHOUT building some sort of roof or support beams to keep the entire thing from keeling over?!
We are NOT builders, I only have what knowledge I've gleamed from this website, and my uncle who IS a builder. We need serious help!
Is there any general or specific tips anyone can give me on how to build a large run like this, and/or pictures/plans relevant to the size we're making this thing? This is turning out much more difficult than it looked!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

One of my runs is 30 x 10 and has a sloped open roof with cattle panel covers. I used 7, 6 x 10 dog lot panels and the necessary hardware to form the slanted roof. I could have made it 40 or 50 ft long by adding 2 or 4 more panels, if I had wanted to. No building required. Something that long though, needs to be braced along the sides so it doesn't fall over.

Example

 

[Shadrach]

You may find it helpful and more economic in the long run to think more as if you're fencing a tennis court rather than a chicken run.
24' x 16' isn't very big when you look at it the above terms.
With steel posts set in concrete, one post every 6' and the four corner posts with struts and using welded mesh on a roll the project needn't be very expensive and will last.

https://www.weld-mesh.com/welded-mesh
https://www.weld-mesh.com/fencing/fencing-posts-and-systems

 

[NHMountainMan]

There are a lot of ways you can build a run- will it be permanently in one place or will it move?

Id suggest going to YouTube and checking out building chicken coops / runs and "how to frame".

If you can attach a picture of coop and where the run will fit in relation, you might get some specific ideas.

Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

There are a lot of ways you can build a run- will it be permanently in one place or will it move?

Id suggest going to YouTube and checking out building chicken coops / runs and "how to frame".

If you can attach a picture of coop and where the run will fit in relation, you might get some specific ideas.

Good luck!

Yes definitely need to know if it will be permanent.

My run on my big coop is 16'x23'. I have fence posts concreted in the ground.


Please post pics of what you currently have built....even if it is just the coop and one run wall laying on the ground.

 

[aart]

That looks fine, tho spacing your wall studs to the size mesh you are going to use will make things easier when you get to the point.
You just need to sink some posts(4" x 4") into the ground to attach the walls to,
probably at each corner then half way down each wall.

 

[Ebony Rose]

With the exception of the weight, a single solid long wall, or two abutting short walls could act as a very nice wind break; cover this area with your tarp (or if at all possible, a sheet of zinc roofing material) and you'd have the makings for a sturdy, shady, dry spot for your flock to get in out of the weather. This is the area that you'd hang your feed bucket and waterer, and also where you'd install some roosting bars... Do not put the food and water UNDER the roost, as they'll get 'dirty'. Opting for roosts on one wall of the corner, and hanging groceries on the other. Since you're in Florida, and the temperatures don't get near freezing, I see this as an acceptable start to your coop. You can often find excellent how-to videos on building chicken 'tractors' or coops on youtube, and may even find a few that will help you incorporate that huge slab of a wall that you've already got built.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Is that picture your run? I also used 2 of these to make my 30x10 run which I covered with hardware cloth. I'm interested in your roof using cattle panels. Can you show a photo of how you did that?

That's not my run. Here's a smaller one of mine using the same technique as my 10x30 run. The poles slide into special fittings at the top and are secured to the run by brackets you can get at places like Lowes (I guess you already have these).

The carriage bolts that secure the brackets to the run point upwards so that the cattle panel can rest against the nuts (You will probably have to buy longer bolts; I used galvanized). Then a washer is placed on the bolt over the panel and secured with another nut. The cattle panels are wired to the slanted poles. The netting at top was necessary because the panels are only 50 inches wide (they are 16' long). Chicken wire or hardware cloth would work as well.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

How'd you get that chicken to hide that fitting?
Care to show them, top and bottom?
Is that conduit as rafters?

That chicken was psycho broody. I finally relented and let her hatch some eggs.

I can't find my camera. The sloped pieces are just 1" or so metal pipe used for chain link fencing and dog lots. Here's what the fittings look like. Carriage bolt goes through the bottom fitting to clamp it around horizontal rail. I used longer bolts and reversed direction so the nut end pointed up:

Top

Bottom

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

The cattle panels are pretty stiff and can span a 5-6' section without sagging, but if they do I use these along the bottom rail as support to eliminate any sag.