My $8.00 portable run (pics)

[den10hens]

Hi all,

I wanted to share some pics of the portable run I built! I drew it up first with lumber to find out how much I would need to buy, then realized "We just cut down a maple tree! I don't need to buy lumber!" And "I know how to tie lashings, I don't need to buy nails!" $8.00 for a roll of chicken wire,

This is built out of approx 1" and 1/2" straight sticks from the tree. It is 5' x 3' and 1 1/2' tall. It is lashed together with jute twine and the cross braces are twine tied in taut line knots. Then I zip tied chicken wire to the frame. No sharp edges inside.

This is not their full time run, just a safe place for them to be in the front yard while I am watering so the neighborhood cats can't get them.

This is the inside while its upside down

This is how the corners are tied

Here are Annie and Beatrice inside

 

[BeckyLa]

Very nice and very enginuitive! (sp?) I don't see a door, however, so how do you catch them?

I want to know about the wire. It cost me $26+ tax for 5' x 25' of chicken wire!

 

[chknman79]

Looks good. Great idea.

 

[Malibufarmer]

nice work i love how u used tree branches

 

[den10hens]

this was 3' by 25' for $8.00 at Lowes. My DH picked it up, that's the price he passed on to me.

No door, Its light enough to lift a corner. My Chicks come right to me because I usually give them a treat. I have the carrier next to me and I just put them in. Once they are big enough that I need a door, I'll have the permanent run in the back yard built.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

During my long commute I've been listening to Robinson Crusoe... this is totally worthy of that.

I absolutely love the lashings!! I'm an Eagle Scout and don't think I could do that!

 

[silkiechicken]

Good work. I don't know much about your area, but I did a colonial project once in HS (filled with city kids) and brought my chickens in a wooden cage tied made with sticks and twine. After a few months, since it rains here alot and humidity goes up and down, the wood would shrink and expand to where the cage eventually became fragile and the ties fell apart. I wish I still had a picture of it!

 

[farmgirl2477]

Oooo...I think I might even be able to handle that one! Its been so beautiful out and I would love to let the new peepers out, but im still worried that they are too young. I could make one of those so they could play for awhile during the day, and the flock can become aquainted with them!

Great work on your pen!

Shannon

 

[Betsy]

Neat idea and good work. But do you get strong winds in your area? It looks like it could blow away easily in a strong wind.

 

[fowlweatherfriends]

And I thought I was thrifty lol!

My kids think I am silly for finding the least expensive way to make chicken stuff-Now, I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE LoL!

Great job on thriftiness!