Newbie needs advice on chainlink run

[wowbernadette]

Hi! We are new to chickens but were given a display shed and 4' tall dog kennel so that's what we started with. We have already purchased another similar kennel to complete the design we wanted... but it's so short that we need a tall roof! I loved the idea of PVC but it would cost another $300 to put back fencing on to attach it to. Any ideas for a tall roof with minimal cost is greatly appreciated!!! It is backed up to the guest house in our backyard.

 

[RonC]

Built my entire run out of 2x4 wire fencing. Used electrical PVC for the framework as it's more UV resistant and will last longer. The PVC was cheap compaired to the wire fencing. I don't know what kind of predators you have but you could extend the side up with the wire fencing on a PVC frame them either cover the top with the 2x4 fencing or bird netting depending on you predator situation. Might add a few of posts in the interior to help support the roof.

 

[wowbernadette]

Thank you! Do you have a pic of your coop and run?

 

[DobermanGuy]

My aunt lost all of her chickens because critters (predators) literally pulled the birds through fencing like that...

If the wire is big enough that a predator can reach inside - You need to reconsider...

Aunt said it was a really nasty mess. Just an FYI...

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Just wondering.. Do you lock your birds up at night in the coop?

If so, unless they are flying out I don't see the need for covering the run?

 

[BigRooNTN]

You may consider screwing eye bolts to the eave of your building and running cable down to the post of the run. Repeat process all the way across every 2 feet or so then cover with 2in chicken wire. That would keep out most any predator.

Clear as mud, Right?

 

[wowbernadette]

Eye bolts are a great idea! I can handle that, thanks! And I'll cover the bottom half of the fence with chicken wire to keep critters out. Thanks so much!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Use hardware cloth from the ground up two or three feet not chicken wire to help protect more.