Please give me some run construction tips!

[the lemon tree]

For those of you who built your own runs, is it necessary to use 2 X 4s for the frame or can I get by with something narrower (2 X 2s?) and still have it be sturdy? I plan to cover it with hardware cloth and add polycarbonate roofing. Any feedback appreciated.

 

[wildorchid053]

i would supposed it depends on what predators you have... we used 4x4 and 2x8 for our framing but we have coyotes, raccoon, you name it and we needed strength.. i suppose if your in a fenced back yard in a neighborhood you would be ok

 

[Burbs]

The amount of wind in your area would also be a consideration.

 

[chookchick]

I am not sure why you would want to downgrade to 2 by 2. They really aren't any less expensive (pennies) and they have a tendency to warp, and be very difficult to work with, as well as the decrease in strength. You need to be able to fasten stuff without splitting also. With a roof, I would want to have some 4 by 4, at least for the corners, and every 8 feet, then frame the rest with 2 by 4.

 

[patandchickens]

You will need 4x4s for your posts. Especially with roofing involved.

For the rest of it (horizontal lumber along top and bottom of run fence, and the support structures for the roof) it depends a whole big lot on your exact design. In most cases you really really ought to use 2x4s though, and as a previous poster said, why would you NOT, as 2x2s will save you no money (same price for crappier grade wood) or will waste you a lotta time spent ripping 2x4s with a power saw.

Depending how your roof supports are engineered you will need probably 2x6's, certainly nothing smaller than 2x4s on edge, for the rafters. For purlins you could potentially use 1x lumber, with care, although personally I don't like doing that (it saves you little money and means the roofing is less-securely attached to the wood). For heaven's sake, get the manufacturer's pamphlet on how to support and install the roofing, BEFORE you build anything -- you MUST have the supports running the right way and at the right spacing, or it will just collapse in the first heavy rain, bit of snow, or stout wind.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[jenjscott]

but a lot of the answers would depend on how big the run is going to be and how is it going to be put together.

 

[fiberart57]

Hello,
I just finished my new coop and used treated 2x4s for the run replacing a run I made out of 2x2s. They were a dollar more each at Home Depot and worth every penny because they didn't split when I nailed them and were much sturdier and they'll hold up better. I'm not sorry for the expense.

I also switched to hardware cloth and it's a bigger house for my six girls.

I am totally beat but I'll sleep better tonight knowing they're safer.

Mary

Yeah, I'm not a New Egg anymore!

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

Quote:
Unless it is the size of a small cage (2'x2' or 3'x4'), anything less than a 2x4 would not be wise. I have seen many large sheds and barns built with 2x4's so in most cases, 2x6 is not necessary.

Like the other post suggested. 4x4's in the corners and at every 8' or 10' and 2x4 for the horizontals. I used 2x6 pressure treated for the bottom board that comes in contact with the ground. My wire is 2x2 welded with hardware cloth on the bottom 30". Both wires go into the ground and then out away from the run 24" to prevent a predator from digging, same for the area that is sheeted (wire is attached to the sheeting and buried). I also have 2x2 welded wire on the top of the run.



This is our "Pullet Hut", we use it to raise the pullets (5-18 weeks) before they start laying, they do not get to free range until the are laying. I am on the central coast of CA, so it never freezes and is seldom cold or hot (there are 3 heat lamps above the roosts just in case). I built it short (60") so that it would not block my view or stand out too much, I don't spend much time in there anyways, just a few seconds to grab and return the waterer and feeder and I occasionally add more hay (grassy) and DE.

 

[CityChook]

I used 4x4s for my corners, 6x6 for the base, and 2x4s for the framing. But we get a lot of snow and wind, which needed to be designed in. I'm thinking that if your goal is to save money, you'll actually spend MORE on 2x2s because you won't be happy and have to end up redoing it.

 

[Elwar]

It probably depends on the run. I used 2x2s and it's fairly sturdy.

I wanted it light so I could move it around the yard easily.