Need Run Advise Please!

[Sheri460]

Here's our freshly built coop. The only thing left is to add a window in the front, it'll be 17x30 and the plan is for it to go immediately above the coop door in the front. However, now I'm having trouble figuring out the attached run design. I was a bit overwhelmed at making the coop (we designed ourselves and made it all up as we went along) and neglected to plan the run at the same time. In hindsight, we should have designed it together. But now we have to work with what we have. I'm pretty open to the dimensions of the run... ideally, I would like part of it to have a roof (to keep drier and to give some shade). The rest of the run I'll just do hardware wire on the top. You can see in the pic I laid out some scrap pieces of wood 12' from the front of the coop and then 22' wide. Definitely bigger than we need (only have 5 chickens: 1 barred rock, 2 RIR, 2 BCM)... but I want them to be happy. I've also looked at going 8' from the front and then 12' wide... open to any dimension configuration.
Would love any thoughts and suggestions on 1) how to attach run to the coop, 2) where to do a roofed section, 3) any other thoughts
I sooo appreciate anyone's time who offers to share their thoughts!!! Thank you!

 

[Justicedog]

I'm in the process of redoing my run. I'm no expert at all. My tips would be to try to keep conventional measurements. 8', 10', 12' etc. as that's what size the materials come in and it will save on cutting. When planning the roofed section, make sure the drainage goes away from the run, preferably going to the area that slopes away from the run area. I'd put the roofed section right where the chickens come out of the coop. If mine had to go through weather - snow to get to the non-snowed area, they wouldn't leave the coop.

I'd attach the wire directly to the coop. I'd say have the underneath of the coop as part of the run.

 

[RojoMarz]

I'd just put the coop inside the run. You could do a roofed section of the run, and the coop is under the roof, with additional roofing beyond the coop.

 

[Horseryder]

You could add more protection with electric wire at base and another wire higher for dogs coyottes ect

 

[3KillerBs]

Hello. I'm late to this thread, but my #1 piece of advice for your run is to NOT make it only half-high as a means of saving cost on wire and lumber.

You'll spend that savings and more at the chiropractor after trying to work in there while bent over. (This is the voice of experience).

How is it working out?

 

[jgarner1327]

Hello. I'm late to this thread, but my #1 piece of advice for your run is to NOT make it only half-high as a means of saving cost on wire and lumber.

You'll spend that savings and more at the chiropractor after trying to work in there while bent over. (This is the voice of experience).

How is it working out?

I made my run height way too low so I have to crawl to do anything.

 

[Sheri460]

If anyone is wondering what we ended up doing, I wanted to share a pic here. I couldn't be happier with the whole set up!!! The chickens seem to be very happy too. They free range most all day, but they seem to still love their run and coop. We did poop boards in the coop and I cannot recommend that more. Cleanest coop experience and it's been 2 months. No poop anywhere in coop except on the poop boards. Amazing!

 

[3KillerBs]

That looks great. Thanks for the update.

 

[Boise-girls]

Hello. I'm late to this thread, but my #1 piece of advice for your run is to NOT make it only half-high as a means of saving cost on wire and lumber.

You'll spend that savings and more at the chiropractor after trying to work in there while bent over. (This is the voice of experience).

How is it working out?

Amen to that! I have a temporary 4-foot-tall run while waiting for parts on a walk-in. Right now, I have to bend or crawl to do anything. It's such a pleasure to open their coop door on my hands and knees at 6:30 a.m.!

 

[twouglyducks]

That looks amazing! We are working on the coop (endless rain is making everything take way too long) and I'll have to look into the poop boards.
I love your run!