New run ideas

[Lyndzie]

Hi all!

I’m planning on building a new run for the coop, and would like some input. Current run is 8’x5’, and the new run will be 12’x6’. With the avian flu in state, I’m planning on starting this sooner than later.

The coop and run currently:

My original idea was to do a cattle panel hoop-house with hardware cloth and a tarp roof. My concern is that rain and snow run-off will slide down towards my garage and eventually impact the foundation. Thoughts?

 

[springvalley123]

I wouldn't put anything (not a chicken run, a piece of lumber, a small garbage can) within a few feet of any building--pack rats, rats, etc will find it an attractive home. And, you want to be able to walk between the run and the garage just to protect the garage from any hazards you need to, just as a homeowner.
But the cattle panel idea in general sounds great, just place it a few feet from the garage, and also a few feet from the property line, or further from the property line depending on zoning and neighbors. As for tarp, depending on the rain, a double layer of shade cloth would last longer and likely keep everything dry. I had such a setup with a 14-ft arc made by a trampoline frame and it always stayed dry in the rain. I never tried this on any other structures besides the 14 ft arc of the trampoline frame though.

 

[mowin]

Is that fence yours? Maybe cattle panel from just below the eves of garage to bottom of the fence?

 

[Lyndzie]

Thanks. The fence is mine, but my fence gate is behind the coop, so I need a passage through.