Using a dog kennel for outdoor run

[SuziQ991]

I have a kennel run. Very easy to add extras on as you find them. I even have panels on top of my run, so it is very secure.

 

[AngelzFyre]

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Also be aware of snakes or minks...if you have lots of those around, chicken wire won't keep those out unless they are bigger than the wire. Hardware cloth and smaller welded wires will do the job though

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[perchie.girl]

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[Tapsmom]

Thanks everyone for your wonderful answers. I was speaking to a friend of mine and told her about the kennel idea. She then told me that she had one I could have! Yeah!!

I also saw comments on snakes. What type of snakes would be big enough to go after a chicken? I live in New England so I don't think that is a concern, but I want to make sure.

 

[perchie.girl]

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dont know about New England But many large snakes LOVE eggs I remember one time when my mom was raising finches in an aviary I built for her the wire holes were half inch in diameter and just like chicken wire. A small Garter snake slipped in through the holes and ATE all the finch eggs. he was like a string of perls.... Unfortunately for him he couldnt get back through the wire. LOL. Deed was done I just caught him and released him down by the creek.

Snakes definately would go for chicks though. I live in rattle snake country I have seen them six feet long and as big around as my forearm. (about four inches in diameter) Since I raised Parakeets and Zebra finches and Canaries in a past life I have enough Aviary panels to cover the whole exposed air outside of my new coop. Those bars on the panels are ten or twelve gauge. 1/8 to 1/10 diameter. The spacing is 1/2 inch by 3 inches. only the very smallest mousie would be able to get through.

If I could find that fine mesh chicken wire I would use that but no one seems to carry it any more here.

 

[AngelzFyre]

We have LOTS of chicken snakes here, and black snakes that we see all the time either in the pasture or woods. Water snakes in the pond.
I leave them alone unless they are where they aren't supposed to be, then if possible I move them to a farther area. I've found a chicken snake in the nest box before when I first started out, needless to say, I never ever reach into there without looking first!

 

[MobyQuail]

its all we really had to start. we live in florida so cold is not an issue

before

during

after

more pics on our byc page. 1st one, we set the dog kennel on a cinder block and wooden foundation first and added an apron to that.

 

[wannabchick]

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that roof is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[wannabchick]

Hi ya.. I use a dog kennel

I did paint it black though

 

[perchie.girl]

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I love it.

Ok I have a question for you. those Cement cylendars you have scattered about and stacked in the back ground and used to escape proof the runs. WHAT the HECK are they. I have seen them here in San Diego too.... And I want some BADDD.

Are they:

Ballast for ships?

Core samples form concrete inspectors?

Concrete cores drilled out of structures for drainiage?

It drives me NUTS to not know what the original purpose was for something like that because I could see a bizillion ways to use them myself:

Planted on end with dirt around to make a driveway.
Layed on their side for a decorative border.
used as markers for parking
used like you as dividers between chicken runs
used as retaining wall structure (I have seen this here)
Compost pile walls
used to hold down tarps.

I have even considered making them myself using Big gulp containers.

Inquiring minds need to know.