Switching from free range to a run

[gtaus]

Part of why we’re thinking electric fence is so we can eventually move them around the yard more, but if we do something more permanent, that sounds like a cool system.

There are many videos on the Justin Rhodes channel on YouTube where he uses a mobile electric fence from Premier One for his chickens. That is certainly an option as long as you are willing to regularly move the fencing before the chickens destroy your yard. The mobile fencing does not protect you from aerial predators, of course, and that was my main concern where I live. So I opted for a more permanent solution.

If you do decide to go with a more permanent chicken run, then I am a big advocate for turning it into a composting system. I have no problems with mud or smell. But I realize that some people might not want the looks of composting grass clippings, leaves, and wood chips in the run. One of the main reasons I got chickens was to make compost for my garden, so I look at all the composting material in the run and just think of all the black gold my girls are producing for me.

 

[M Kat]

They will complain, but they do not remember long.

Do add clutter to the inside of the run. Pallets, ladders, roosts, boxes, mini walls. It gives more shade, it allows birds to move away from each other, and to get out of sight. So many runs I see on here, are just an open rectangle, where as a bird can see every other bird 100% of the time.

As big as possible is good advice. Are you keeping chickens in, or are you keeping other things out? Keeping things out can be a challenge, at least if you have coons like mine. After numerous failures on my run's part, we just recently built a chain link fence , totally covered. My fingers are crossed.

Mrs K

We just built a 15x5 chain link fence as well. I saw a racoon eyeing my hens while they were free ranging with me. I never leave them out alone. But this racoon was not afraid of me. It was just before sundown. I bought a chain link fence the next day. It looks like a prison cell. I really hate it. But I know the chickens will be safe.

 

[GC-Raptor]

We just built a 15x5 chain link fence as well. I saw a racoon eyeing my hens while they were free ranging with me. I never leave them out alone. But this racoon was not afraid of me. It was just before sundown. I bought a chain link fence the next day. It looks like a prison cell. I really hate it. But I know the chickens will be safe.

Raccoons can climb a chain-link fence and welded wire fence.

I had coons terrorize my chickens several times weekly.
I trapped and despatched one that climbed coop.

GC

 

[M Kat]

Ours is a 15x5 chain link dog kennel and we are adding a roof to it. The roof is in the works. We are planning to add wood panels on the bottom two feet to make it look more homey and as another added protection for the girls as they play. They are locked up in a small chicken tractor 7x3 at night. Do you think that would be enough protection?

 

[GC-Raptor]

They are locked up in a small chicken tractor 7x3 at night. Do you think that would be enough protection?

I would say no, without seeing yours.

My coops are raccoon proof when I close pop-door.
But raccoons can still terrorize chickens by scratching at hardware cloth on open windows.

GC