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[volvomum]

we are looking for advice on building our run. should it be covered? fence buried? what is the full name of csn (sell fencing online)?any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks!

 

[AlienChick]

I prefer a covered run just for the added hawk protection. I have a neighbor who does not cover his runs, but he doesn't seem to mind the occasional bird eaten by the hawks.

My birds free range every day so I only use the run if I'm not home or gone on vacation.

I made an apron around my run using chicken wire that is buried in some gravel we had laying around.

I've only noticed something tried to dig into the run once but that was because a lot of food had spilled in one corner and I didn't clean it up so it was left over night.

Whatever critter was out there tried to get to that food but could not get thru the wire and gravel.

I would also build a run that you can stand up in; even if it's only 5' tall. Makes it easier to maintain.

 

[Hamstery]

I would cover it. Hawks will get in if you don't and other climbing predators as well. We buried our chicken wire a few inches deep and then skirted it out a few inches as well. We put dirt on top and grass seed and now you'd never even know it was there.

 

[volvomum]

thanks for the tips...we will be covering the top, we see quite a few red tail hawks here in rural PA.

 

[JohnHenry]

I highly recommend a fully covered run so no hawks fly in and no coons climb in while they are roosting. I also would cover half the run with a solid top to keep out the rain and provide some shade, the other half only covered with wire to let in some sun. I would use a sand floor surrounded by 1x4 to keep in the sand like a sand box. They love to take a sand bath.