Suggestions for alternative in-ground posts

[Birchpeeps]

I am oh-too-slowly building my run, well, the chickens' run. Everyone's coops and runs look fabulous!
I'm starting on the run now. Do corner posts really have to be set in the ground, and below the frost level? Any other way to make them sturdy without digging that far down? So here's another stupid question, is there such a thing as an above ground corner post?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[woodsman23]

You don't have to sink them at all, just place a bottom and top rail and attach to corner post.

 

[Hinotori]

Yes, nice sturdy top and bottom rails will work. That's what we did so we could move the whole run when needed. Our run is 10x18. We found having extra upright posts near the corners help support snow, ice, and rain loads on the covering when you don't have the posts in the ground. We had to add them after the ice weight on the netting got to heavy.

 

[dwolfwmn]

I have built lots of fences, so the idea of not digging holes sounds good. And, this is sturdy enough against wind?

I have looked at lots of run pictures on here, unfortunately none of them are close up enough so I can figure out the construction. Do you frame it like the coop walls, oln the ground and then flip it up? I am lost, but would love to avoid digging & setting posts.

Thank-you!

 

[joan1708]

I used cyclone fence poles.I cemented my front two poles in, but didn't want to do that for the back poles because it's by a retaining wall and hard to maneuver back there. I put hardware cloth on the ground as part of my anti-digging defense. I pounded rebar stakes into the ground about 18 inches and put the poles over that. I did brace the poles with top and bottom rails, And the hardware cloth on the fence overlaps the hardware cloth on the ground. I staked it all down which also adds stability but you can take it apart if needed. My coop run is pretty solid, there's no "give" in it. In the end,I probably didn't need the rebar poles.

 

[dwolfwmn]

Quote:
That is a great idea, thanks for sharing! I always appreciate seeing pictures, it helps in the understanding process.

 

[andycowboy]

I just built regular "walls" and they sit on the ground - here's the progress/finished product. Very sturdy, but being tucked into a wooded area in the Hill Country, I don't have high wind problems or snow issues! Besides, trying to dig post holes in this rocky terrain is virtually impossible! Hope this helps...good luck with your project!

 

[dwolfwmn]

Quote:
Your run is what I see many folks building for their chix's. After looking at everyone's runs, I think I will try digging holes for my corner posts and then try the above ground framing for the in-between. Building fence was so much easier when I was younger.....

Would you recommend the framing for the door into the run be dug holes, for sturdiness?

Thank you for the pic's and info. It really is appreciated!!

 

[woodsman23]

 

[Birchpeeps]

You don't have to sink them at all, just place a bottom and top rail and attach to corner post.

Thank you Woodsman23
I was hoping someone would say this was okay! It is a lot less work than digging a deep hole.