Need ideas for portable run, with no tractor.

[paintedChix]

Found it! https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-pros-and-cons.1154750/page-4#post-18635091 - post #34

 

[User395221]

Another thing you could do is get a folding, wire dog cage and put a top on it. It's light, and goes away when you don't need it.

Over here, you can get folding pet pens with a top. I have 2, one is timber and one is metal. To stop my bunnies digging out when they were using the metal one for their play area, I just made a fold-up floor from wire mesh panels (joined the panels with aviary clips). I use the timber one put next to a little dog kennel for any new chickens, or if somebody gets sick, they could go in there. Because it folds up, I don't have to lose the space all the time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm also using a foldable dog playpen with a top. Easy to move around and I simply set it up and carry my chickens over to it. They're not predator proof, but work to keep the chickens contained.

 

[User395221]

They're not predator proof, but work to keep the chickens contained.

My metal one is quite solid, with thick(er) metal, and it's about 2 metres x 1 (or 1.5) metres, I can't remember. Consequently, it's quite heavy (although still portable). I wouldn't want to be carting it to a new location every single day (maybe once a week/every few days would be manageable), but I think it offers a reasonable "keep out" protective level. The wooden one wouldn't keep out a determined heavy animal, it's quite flimsy really, but it's much lighter. That's the trade-off - you either go for lightweight/easily portable or for more resistance against predators. You have to decide what is more important in your scenario.

For really lightweight/easily portable, the Omlet fencing is good, really easy to cart about, but there's no roof and a determined heavy animal could push it down. That company also does other lightweight/portable options but they are quite expensive (a bit along the lines of the hoop pens, but at a higher cost).