Run help

[folgerrd]

Hey we are going to make a run but... We don't really know how. Do you guys have any favorite plans? What did you do? How much did it cost? We need it at least big enough for six chickens(plus room for expanding our flock) and we really want a big run area so we can hang with the hens! So basically, what kind of run rocks your chicken's world?

 

[terryg]

Figure on a minimum of 8 square feet per standard hen. Make sure there's a shady area. Outside roosts go a long way to help reduce aggression issues. I also put a compost pile in the chicken run - it gives them a lot to do and it makes composting very easy! More about that here: http://hencam.com/henblog/2012/03/compost-in-the-chicken-run/
Depending on the hawk population you might want to consider hawk netting above. Or, criss-cross strings across the top and hang old DVDs (also useful to deter sparrow from coming in and eating feed.)
Be aware that the hens will quickly turn the run into packed dirt. It's important not to have muddy areas. A few bags of coarse builders sand helps with drainage and to dry things out.
You can see what I do on my live cams at www.HenCam.com

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

Here's a look at my first run. The main run is 6'X9', and they have the additional 4'X8' under the coop. Since this photo was taken, I've attached a 10'X10' chain link dog run to the outside of the original run, taking advantage of the side of the fenced garden to create an "auxilary" run that is another 10'X20'. So it is more than adequate for 8 hens. During the winter when there was lots of snow they pretty much had to stay in the main run, and while that worked fine, they were always eager for me to open the little pop door to let them out into the larger space. I'd say err on the side of too much space, because in the long run, they'll be happier.

The bottom 2 feet are hardware cloth. The top is chicken wire, with a chicken wire "skirt" to discourage predators digging under. It was a compromise in cost and predator protection but so far, I've had no evidence that my chickens have been in danger when they are in their enclosure, even though we have some major predators here in the Colorado mountains.

Here is a chicken tractor I'm in the process of building. I might use this construction technique if I ever decide to build another run.

 

[folgerrd]

Figure on a minimum of 8 square feet per standard hen. Make sure there's a shady area. Outside roosts go a long way to help reduce aggression issues. I also put a compost pile in the chicken run - it gives them a lot to do and it makes composting very easy! More about that here: http://hencam.com/henblog/2012/03/compost-in-the-chicken-run/
Depending on the hawk population you might want to consider hawk netting above. Or, criss-cross strings across the top and hang old DVDs (also useful to deter sparrow from coming in and eating feed.)
Be aware that the hens will quickly turn the run into packed dirt. It's important not to have muddy areas. A few bags of coarse builders sand helps with drainage and to dry things out.
You can see what I do on my live cams at www.HenCam.com

The place we're using is pretty dry, no hawks. I don't quite get why you's use DVDs, I am a little slow this morning though! Does the shinyness deter some birds? There is plenty of shade. And I will check out the compost thing.

Thanks for commenting

 

[Chicky-dees]

I just finished mine - it is a 12 x 20 foot enclosed run (tin roof with insulation) with an enclosure on one end (ramps leading up to the enclosure) for the chickens to hang out on cold days. The house enclosure has 10 nest boxes accessible from the outside for egg gathering. I used 1 sq centimeter hardware cloth for my pen (we have HUGE chicken snakes here in TX) and the insulation under the roof keeps it about 10-15 degrees cooler for the birds. I buried the hardware cloth down about 6 inches and added treated lumber around the edges to keep the sand inside which is what I use for their flooring. I have 15 chickens in it.

I have some VERY huge stumps from old trees that I rolled into their pen (with lots of effort and some blood - LOL!) that make great perches and seats for visitors (I like to interact with my birds daily). I installed roosts out of natural tree branches and feeders made from PVC pipe for their pelleted feed and oyster shell, and I'm still looking for the perfect auto waterer to install in the corner.

Sand flooring is a life saver. Since I use feed pans as my temporary waterers, I can just dump them out right there in the pen and it soaks down almost instantly so the run never stays wet for long periods of time and it works great for spraying things down when things get dusty. PLUS, chicken poop dries up very quickly and it is so easy to clean out with a manure fork. Keep the work simple, I say, so you can enjoy it more.

I asked hubby to build me something that would last 20 years and would compliment our ranch and other buildings and he did a **** fine job. I have my coop sitting right in the middle back area of my garden and I'm very pleased. It is right next to water and electric and the chickens get all the wonderful pickings from my garden - they go crazy for squash!

They will also have a yard area where they can free range from time to time (as soon as we replace some of the fencing we tore down in order to build the coop) that will be about 80 x 80 with 5 foot tall rolled sheep wire. They will still jump the fence, but they always come back. I'm going to decorate it with all of the usual fun stuff - signs, flower beds in front, etc but it is already a 100 degrees here in TX so I'm not in a hurry to get out there and do the flowerbeds right now although I have all of these flowering plants (that are already flowering) that I ordered from Gurneys this past spring that are waiting to go into my flower bed. They are a collection of butterfly/hummingbird attracting shrubs that will grow about 4 foot tall and provide wind block and shade as well.

I got the idea for mine from a post on the run design forum, and then I just tweaked it a little and hubby made my thought into a reality. Cost wasn't of any issue, so we went the extra mile to make it last a lifetime. It's so nice in fact, I think my mother in law would probably be quite comfortable staying in it when she visits.

Overall we spent about 8 weekends working on it and about $3500 at Lowes (and that was with discounts and contractor pricing).

No matter the size, shape or budget - don't cut corners - build it solid and use good materials. If I ever get tired of chickens (I doubt it) then my run can be used for anything from rabbits to peacocks to - did I already mention my mother in law? Anyway, we built it multi-purpose on purpose. So that might be something else to consider - especially if you put alot of $ into it.

Have fun!