Run Idea - Will it work?

[MEMama3]

I desperately want a new run (preferably using materials I already have on hand). Living in the 'burbs, I have little concern for predators beyond the occassional neighbor dog. My girls are locked up at night. Really I am focusing keeping the girls in. Here is what I sketched up. The hoop part is basically a modification of what I have now. The hoop section is 8' long x 5' wide.


The hoop side (left) is 4"x4" posts driven into the ground with holes in the top that allow the PVC conduit to slide in. The posts are 3' above the ground with 4' tall wooden lattice attached to form sides. That is the part that I already have. I want to utilize the 3' wide section to the right of this hoop (going from the hoop to the garage). If I take off the lattice on the right side of the hoop and continue the lattice down the back (away from the coop) do you think the girls will fly out? It would really only be a 3' section where the fence would be low. The other sides would have the plastic covered hoop, the chicken coop (6' tall) and the garage wall (9' tall).

I'm not sure if I explained that well at all, but thanks to anyone who can help.

PS: I plan to drape plastic from ground to ground in the winter, so the 3' extra section wont mean diddly in the winter (snow falls off the roof there, hence why the hoop is off to the side and not right next to the building).

 

[Orp lover]

How many girls do you have?

 

[cknkids]

Last summer 3' fencing worked to keep our 4 hens out of the garden. This spring we wanted to also keep them off the grass, so sectioned of a chicken yard. They made quick work of the 3' fencing when they want out. We've now put in 5' fencing and they're staying in their yard. So if they learn they can get out and they want too 3' doesn't seem like much of a deterrent. You can try it and see what happens. I think you said it was only a short area, you may want to consider doubling up the lattice to make a 6' fence.

 

[Biologrady]

I'm in the burb's too...but for us hawks are a concern...see redtails every day and Cooper's hawks and owls too...something to consider?

 

[MEMama3]

We have hawks, but since it is such a narrow space and they can easily flee under the hoop, I was hoping it wouldn't be too much of an issue. Plus, my girls are pretty big now. If I had chicks or young pullets, I wouldn't risk it.