Post spacing for run

[sparky00]

Hello all. Fairly new here and have a some quick questions about run construction:

I will be using 4" x 8' ROUND wood fence posts (using round since that is what I have left over from another project). What is the spacing needed for hanging 1/2" hardware cloth to these? I plan to make this a day/night fully predator proof run (they will have a coop to go into at night if they want). The spacing I am seeing on google seems to say 8-12' however some sites I have seen mention 6'. At this point I am thinking 8'? I will bury the 1/2" cloth and apron out. Still undecided what to use to cover the run. The overall run will be about 300 sq ft +/- for 18 girls. Anyone else use round posts? How did you do the gate?

I thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Redhead Rae]

Hello all. Fairly new here and have a some quick questions about run construction:

I will be using 4" x 8' ROUND wood fence posts (using round since that is what I have left over from another project). What is the spacing needed for hanging 1/2" hardware cloth to these? I plan to make this a day/night fully predator proof run (they will have a coop to go into at night if they want). The spacing I am seeing on google seems to say 8-12' however some sites I have seen mention 6'. At this point I am thinking 8'? I will bury the 1/2" cloth and apron out. Still undecided what to use to cover the run. The overall run will be about 300 sq ft +/- for 18 girls. Anyone else use round posts? How did you do the gate?

I thank you in advance for your help!

It is VERY hard to make a completely predator proof run. Most chicken keepers, even if they have a fairly secure run, will still shut their birds in a predator proof coop at night. A coop with solid walls/doors is much easier to predator proof than a wire run. Also, the predator proof quality of your run will degrade over time and predators will always be looking for a new and inventive way in.

 

[imnukensc]

Too many variables to give you a definite answer, but if it were me, I would use 4' spacing and even with that you're going to need bracing to keep things square and have enough points to attach your HWC securely. Every situation is different and not everyone has the same predators or amount of predators to deal with. I never close my coop up at night. The pop door into the run stays open 24/7/365. The birds are free to come and go into the run as they please.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I don’t know about posts. But please if you’re going to all this trouble to make a great run and coop...at least cover your run with wire. Best wishes

 

[aart]

Too many variables to give you a definite answer..... you're going to need bracing to keep things square and have enough points to attach your HWC securely.

Ditto Dat^^^
Plan your framing around the mesh you are going to use.