New chicken owner, run questions

[Jmariie33]

So a little back story... Im really new to all of this so please forgive me. I recently purchased 6 chicks. Im still in the process of building their run. I purchased a pre-made coop that will be arriving soon. My main questions are about the run itself. Its made of a metal ~4" square fencing also now covered in chicken wire, its about 5' tall and about a 12 x 12 run. One side is offset about 2 feet for an entrance but I can't figure out how to create a door. My husband keeps telling me to make it out of chicken wire but I know thats not sturdy enough... im honestly trying to keep this as cheap as possible. But I know expenses have to be made here and there. I also don't know what to do for the roof, since it isn't tall enough to be walk-in im struggling as to what can be put over it to keep them safe but something that also can be removed for when I have to go inside....

Please help...

 

[RojoMarz]

Maybe bird netting for the run roof?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi there. Welcome! Can you post pics of what you have now? Also, where are you? What predators do you have? Chicken wire will not keep out rats or snakes or mice so you’ll need to pick up food at night. Also, removing the roof whenever you go in might become a pain, is there a way you can put a pole in the center of the run and drape bird netting over it so it’s taller In the center? Again, it really depends on what you’re dealing with for predators and pests. Bears, rats, raccoons, weasels etc can all tear through chicken wire. We have neighborhood cats, possibly raccoons, snakes are possible, rats and owls are around and coyotes have been around as well. One of the top things on wish lists is a coop and/or run tall enough to walk in.
Have you checked Craigslist or Freecycle or anything similar for free materials?

 

[Jmariie33]

I will get pictures today. Im in wv. As far as I'm aware we don't have bears in our immediate area. There are raccoons, possums, some feral cats, weasels, snakes, and a few neighborhood dogs. Removing the food is a great tip, do I have to take water away too? I haven't checked for free materials because I'm mostly afraid of going to someone's house or property that I don't know..

 

[3KillerBs]

Hardware cloth is better than chicken wire -- stronger, more predator resistant, proof against rodents and snakes large enough to pose a threat, and easier to work with.

 

[igorsMistress]

I will get pictures today. Im in wv. As far as I'm aware we don't have bears in our immediate area. There are raccoons, possums, some feral cats, weasels, snakes, and a few neighborhood dogs. Removing the food is a great tip, do I have to take water away too? I haven't checked for free materials because I'm mostly afraid of going to someone's house or property that I don't know..

I completely understand your concern going to other people’s homes. With those types of predators you would do well to upgrade to hardware cloth and I recommend a padlock to lock the door. Raccoons are very adept at opening simple closures. If not on the run then on the coop for sure along with reinforcing all windows or vents on the coop with hardware clothChickens don’t eat or drink at night so water probably isn’t issue but if you notice rats or mice you’ll do well to remove that also.
You mentioned a prefab coop. If it says it’ll house six chickens that’s likely capable of housing three or four just FYI. Chickens need about a foot of roost space and when it’s hot more is better. My flocks always liked to spread out in summer.
If your run will get shade and you reinforce only the coop then bird netting over the run will keep out birds of prey and probably the cats for the most part. Just keep an eye on it so that you repair any large holes. If your run won’t get much afternoon shade then shade cloth or a tarp over the top can be used to provide it.
Looking forward to pics and of course, chick pics are always welcome

 

[PapaRo]

So your run is 12 by 12 ... that’s 144’ square feet...and that’s allot of weight in materials to legitimately cover such an area... I would make a removable or hinged roofing system if you need predator safety,

 

[Alaskan]

If you want fully predator proof, then I would add posts to hold up a roof, and yes, roof the entire run.

If you just want pretty good, daytime only run, then I would take conduit and make hoops from one side of the run to the other. Conduit, pvc, or other lightweight plastic should be able to be bent into a U shape so that you have headroom and can walk into the run.

Then cover the upside-down "U"s with something light, chicken wire or bird net.

If you use bird net, stretch it tightly. Loosely draped bird net will catch birds.