to those with runs you can't walk into

[PapaChaz]

Lol omg so true about crawling in the poop. What am I thinking?
Bigger it is, thank you all.
I feel stupid even asking these questions but I'm beginning to realize how much I can learn from those who have been there, done that!

no no no, never feel bad about asking a question! you only ask because you're unsure, and that in and of itself merits asking it! If only I could get my kids to listen and learn from my experience that easy, LOL

Make it tall enough for you to walk in and do what you need to do. The above are very nice but your budget may be larger or smaller. I did this one last yea for about 200 I think. More so I can drag it to a different spot with my mower if needed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bobdbirddogs-coop

very true! nice looking setup.

mines 10x21. made from cattle panels covered in hard ware cloth. I paid $161 for a 4x100 roll of 1/2" hardware cloth ordered on amazon.com. I paid $19 each for 5 cattle panels, so plus tax that was just over $101. the metal on the ends I don't have anything invested in, but even if I'd had to buy it would have been around $20. the lumber for my frame I went the extra on to get a tad more height at the width I wanted, $88 invested in that. I have right at $350 invested in it.

I've seen some build this hoop run with tposts as their supports (about $4 each) and cover mostly with chicken wire, with hardware cloth only along the bottom few feet. It can be built for less than what I did.

either way though, the answer to the OP is go ahead and make it tall enough to walk into!

 

[keekerschickens]

Thank you all again!!

 

[fishwithaface]

We are building this today Here are the floor plans. will cost about 90 in just lumber/screws/nails/ etc
Heres the floor plan
I'm also building a thread with my coop building plans that i've done. along with the pen. All together we built a 7 hen coop for 300 with a walk in pen.



20 2x4x8's (You could buy 25, incase there is an accidental cut)
----------------( To add studs to the side walls, half way up, you will need 22 pieces)
4 2x4x10's (Again you could buy 6, for accidental cuts)
Box of Screws/ or nails at least 2 1/2 inches in length
2 pack of hinges for door
Handle
Latch to lock door


Forgot to add: On the back wall you need 3 cuts of 6ft not 2

 

[RonP]

Posted in another query, but relevant enough to share here:

My run is 4' high.

I have not entered, nor cleaned it in over 6 years.

I have a "hatch door" in one corner to toss in biomass.

The flock enjoys the benefits of the deep litter.

"deep litter", is just "cold composting".

Every location will differ, but the process remains the same.

Slight variations are necessary to achieve the same fantastic results.

Too much info already available with a quick search on cold composting to get into it, but when done properly, well worth the effort.



In these pictures you can see the results. The birds process the deep litter inside the run into fine compost sifted out through 1/2 hardware cloth fencing, where I gather and share with my master gardening friends.

I throw almost anything biodegradable into the run, the birds do all the processing, I collect the rewards, black gold to many...

In this next picture you will see last fall's gathering of this years future "black gold".
That finely shredded pile of leaves is about 30' x30'x3' high.



and first day of spring

 

[justplainbatty]

I'm gonna do cold composting in my walk in run!

I also have a wandering compost system closer to my garden.

 

[RonP]

I'm gonna do cold composting in my walk in run!

I also have a wandering compost system closer to my garden.

When done properly, no foul odors, mud, or flies...

I would highly recommend it.

 

[PapaChaz]

When done properly, no foul odors, mud, or flies...

I would highly recommend it.

I think her point was more about her run being tall enough to walk into.

Any one who does deep litter does cold composting if they leave it long enough.

You're lucky you've not had a sick or injured chick to have to go get in that short run

 

[RonP]

I think her point was more about her run being tall enough to walk into.

Any one who does deep litter does cold composting if they leave it long enough.

You're lucky you've not had a sick or injured chick to have to go get in that short run

I wouldn't consider myself "lucky" in this situation at all.

Although I would with certainty, think someone misfortunate, if they had a sick or injured chick .

No doubt a tall run is best for "walking into".

My point was, if designed properly, there will be no need to walk around the run with any frequency, unless of course there were an emergency.

I can easily access my run. I just haven't had the need, nor desire to walk, or even enter my run now in over 6 years. After all, there is chicken poop in there...

The design is working as anticipated exceptionally well.

I am just offering an exception to the rule of having a "tall" run.

One that is working well for me, with no manure cleanup or chicken maintenance required.

Hope this helps...

 

[PapaChaz]

and that's what makes the world go round,

some of us WANT to be able to walk around in our run. Glad yours works for you, but there's no way I'd even consider building one I can't walk into ever again

 

[justplainbatty]

I think her point was more about her run being tall enough to walk into.

Any one who does deep litter does cold composting if they leave it long enough.

You're lucky you've not had a sick or injured chick to have to go get in that short run

You are correct.

and that's what makes the world go round,

some of us WANT to be able to walk around in our run. Glad yours works for you, but there's no way I'd even consider building one I can't walk into ever again

My coop is walk in as well. My chickens roost at 6 feet and still have plenty of room above their heads! @RonP 's idea is a good alternative if there's no way you can do a walk in.