Run Design Questions

[Steve777]

Hi. We are fairly new to keeping chickens (helped "babysit" some other flocks now and then, but this is our first go at it at our place), and have some questions about the best run setup for our situation.

We will be getting a flock of 5 layers in a couple days, from a neighbor who is moving. We have a coop ready for them, it is currently in an old dog/chicken run which is fenced with 6' high chain link, about 100' x 40'. The bottom of the fence is buried a bit (maybe 3-5" or so. We are in a very rural setting, with plenty of foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and a few bears (no raccoons that we know of). This run is about 120' from the house, and there is clear view of the run/coop from the windows of the house.

Originally I was thinking of building the coop closer to the house and making a smaller run around it, but the current flock owner convinced me that it would be a shame not to use that old chicken run. And another local chicken person also seemed to think that this run would be adequate for protection. I'm not entirely sure. I suspect it will keep the bears out (too much trouble for them), but I suspect the foxes will dig holes under and try other means of getting in. So I planned on locking the flock in the coop at night.

I'd be curious to get feedback from folks on whether they think these two old timers are right, and this run is adequate, or whether I should start planning on some additional measures. I have mowed 6' to either side of the fence, so that predators cannot sneak in under cover of the weeds (and so I can see any tunneling). I was also considering building a smaller run within this run which has fence buried around its perimeter, but sort of hoping that would not be necessary.

Thoughts?

I also was curious about tall grasses/weeds in the run in general. Should I mow the entire run area or will the chickens have fun eating and flattening the weeds/grasses some?

TIA

 

[redsoxs]

Steve, think you have a really good set up. So much depends on your how dense your predator population is and how present people are around the farm. I good dog that runs the perimeter is worth it's wait in gold and saved chickens! Like you, I would maybe mow a few fight out on the perimeter of the run and a narrow strip of the perimeter in side the run - so a chicken thief can't dash out of the weeds and grab one right through the fence....a raccoon can do that. I don't think the run is bear proof (all the predators you mentioned will climb that fence) but as long as the coop is they will be safe at night. Good luck to you.

 

[thomasboyle]

Sounds like a great setup with plenty of room for chickens. I would recommend you cover the chain link fence with 1/2" hardware wire (on the inside). The 2"x2" holes on the chain link will allow opposums, weasels and animals you didn't think possible into the coop. I build my run with 2x3 posts, and on the outside attached 2"x4" field fence and on the inside, attached the hardware wire. Have not had a single loss inside the coop / pen. Last week a bobcat climbed on the outer fence, bending it up a bit, but the inner fence was not touched. Good luck, I think you will enjoy having chickens!

 

[aart]

If your coop is bullet proof (any opening more than 1" covered with 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth attached with screws and washers along with raccoon proof latches) and you plan on locking up the chooks at night, the run is probably OK as is.

From all I've read, hot (really hot) wire is the only thing that will deter bears.

An apron is the best thing I've seen to deter diggers, some kind of mesh 18-24" wide attached to the bottom of run/coop walls and either buried a few inches or staked to ground and let the grass grow up thru it. They start digging at wall base and are quick thwarted by the mesh. Here's great thread about aprons.

Good Luck-Have Fun!, oh and post some pics!