Outdoor Run Designs

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NorthGAFowl

NorthGAFowl

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9 Years
Apr 30, 2010
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Hi all. New to the site and new to backyard chicken raising. We have 20 chickens in a horse stall that I converted into a coop with much effort and chicken wire, kennel fencing and hardware cloth. Now that the chickens are getting bigger, I need to build a run for them out behind the barn. I want to cut a hole in the barn, install a timer door and build a run for them. I am basically looking for design ideas that will offer a big enough space to roam in the grass as well as security for the girls as they begin to get acquainted with the outdoors. Anybody have any ideas for runs that can join onto a building?

Thanks.
 
I'm in the process of doing the same.
From what I've gathered here...

The general rule is 10sf/chicken.
So, that's 200 sf.
I've marked off my run and am sinking 4x4's in a at 4ft intervals (the fencing I got is 4ft wide/tall/whatever).

The first major issue is security.
Chicken wire is worthless - it'll only keep chickens in, not critters out.
I went to pick up some new chicks last weekend, and I got to see first hand how a raccoon can simply UNRAVEL the stuff.

Everybody seems to like the hardware mesh/cloth, but it's way out of my budget.
I'm opting for the heavy gague 2"x3" rectangle fencing from TSC to go on the outside and then the flimsy chicken wire on the inside (depending on how the dogs act).
For added security, people have suggested adding an "apron" around the run.
Apparently an apron is just some fencing sunk a ways into the ground and running away from the run (underground).
Rather than digging an enormous trench, one guy just pulled up the sod about 2ft back from the run, layed the apron down there, and replaced the sod.
The idea is that even if the critter tries to dig under the fence, it'll only hit more fence.

But, critters can climb too, so a covered run seems to be ideal.
Again, chicken wire is worthless, so If you put that at the top of the stronger fence, that just means that the possum will have the climb a bit to have dinner (which they don't mind).
One lady mentioned that she wishes she'd made her run taller - she's hates having to crabby-walk in and out of the thing.

So, there's the secound rule - accessability.
At some point, you're gonna need to get in there - might as well not hate the expereince, I guess.
My run is going to be around 6ft tall and framed.
Don't forget the human-sized door!

That brings us to spacious run that is both tall and armored.
I said that I'm planting my posts 4ft apart and that the fencing is 4ft wide/tall/whatever.
I'm planning on rolling the fencing up, over, and back down again with aprons on both sides.
This way, it's totally protected from all sides (top and bottom) AND I save myself the trouble of unrolling the fence, dragging, repeat - go, gravity!

I figure this way the run is somewhat modular.
If I have to add more room to the run, I already know exactly what my needs and costs are.

As far as adding it to your barn, nailing a couple 2x4s to the barn should start you off nicely.

Anyway, just browse some of the threads for more input.
This community is pretty cleaver!
 
Quote:
No disrespect to Ken, but just another experience using chicken wire:

I've raised chickens for eight years and I've never had a varmint enter my coop or run and I've always used chicken wire. I've stapled it with either a staple gun or with staples made specifically for chicken wire. I start with a very sturdy frame for my coop running the chicken wire into the ground and using either dirt or cement to bury the wire. I bury the wire at least 12" in the ground. For my first chicken coop and run, I had a tin roof and ran my chicken wire all the way to the top and nailed it to the top 2 x 6 and had an extra 8 to 12 inches which I then nailed to the furring strips under the tin roof. This technique made my coop and run "rodent free". Now, does that mean it's impregnable, no, but in eight years I never lost a chicken to a varmint. I live in the county with my chicken coop and run adjacent to hundreds of wooded acres; so I've had all kinds of varmints who could have gotten in, but didn't. Now, when I free range my chickens, that's where I've lost 'em.
 
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None taken! ^_^
Personally, the only varmints I've got to worry about are my two dogs, so I've got to have something more substantial.
I just can't take that chance.

After what I saw at the chicken farm last week and from your experience, I'm kinda wondering about varmint "culture".
The guy at the farm was in the process of moving his very large (and very NICE) flock from one place to another and mentioned that the enclosures the chickens were currently in was only temporary and that needed to build proper coop ASAP.

He showed me where something had tried defeat the chicken wire - and very nearly did.
It was indeed unraveled.

Jack, have you noticed any places where a raccoon or something has tried to get in?
If not (seriously doubt it), I wonder if the varmints in your area even think to try.

The varmints in this area apparently "know" chicken wire can come apart, so they give a shot.
 
Quote:
Here is my Run
13683_chickens_run_003.jpg


13683_chickens_run_004.jpg


13683_chickens_run_001.jpg
 
My next run, will be taller, will take the sun into consideration, maybe building it where the trees cover over the solid roof. You don't have to bury an apron. If you lay it on the lawn within 6 months you can not pull it up or see it. Make better doors. Make a rain proof area for the feed. Easy access for cleaning and filling water.
 
Quote:
Ken, I hadn't noticed. I'm now living in Middle TN and the barn I had my chickens in was not ready for their arrival. See my post in this index entitled "Converting A Portion of My Barn For Our Coop". I had some animal come in and cleaned the bones off one of my hens. But, I expected that to be more frequent since I hadn't "varmint proofed" the barn. I also lost one hen to a hawk as mine free range all day. In this new coop and run I'm going to build, I'll add hardware cloth or chicken wire into the ground and fill the trench with concrete.

CJack
 
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