What is the best materials to make a run.

[sillycmoy]

We are brand new, and we rescued 4 chicks, so we were not planning on having chickens. We just bought a coop from a feed store that was having a sale, the coop does have a built in run, but I want to fence off a 10 ft by 18 ft area for them. What is the best way to do this? We have dogs. Just didn't know if you buy just the basic chicken wire and what do you use for posts. Any help would be great. We are building the coop today. And would like to build the run next week. The chicks are about 3-4 weeks old. So we need to try and get this done in about 3 weeks, and just have the weekends to work on it.

Thanks

 

[ellie32526]

We are brand new, and we rescued 4 chicks, so we were not planning on having chickens. We just bought a coop from a feed store that was having a sale, the coop does have a built in run, but I want to fence off a 10 ft by 18 ft area for them. What is the best way to do this? We have dogs. Just didn't know if you buy just the basic chicken wire and what do you use for posts. Any help would be great. We are building the coop today. And would like to build the run next week. The chicks are about 3-4 weeks old. So we need to try and get this done in about 3 weeks, and just have the weekends to work on it.

Thanks

We used 8ft T-posts, dug small trench around area, buried posts 2 ft and cemented in the ground, then hung welded wire all around, secured with clips. The wire extended into trench, then filled trench with concrete. Stapled bird netting over top of all. Would have used chicken wire over top but bird netting was cheaper for now. Will try to post pics later.

 

[sillycmoy]

If you use the T posts how do you put in a gate to get in?

 

[big faulky]

A lot depends on budget and aesthetics. I would not use chicken wire as my primary fence. It is good at keeping chickens in but poor at keeping predators out. I like hoop coop/runs because they are easy to build and look nice if you take your time during construction. I would suggest looking at the coop section. You can find just about any kind of run out there at all price ranges. I hope this helps.
Cole

 

[V-NH]

I am using 2x4s, 3.5 inch wood screws, chicken wire, and 1/2 inch staples. I bought a $10 set of hinges to connect a door. The total cost for my run is around $200:

$100 for 35 2x4s
$75 for 150 feet of chicken wire
$10 for hinges
$10 for wood screws
$5 for staples

 

[ellie32526]

If you use the T posts how do you put in a gate to get in?

We put a 4X4 on each side of where we wanted the gate and hung the gate between them. Also buried those 2 ft and concreted for stability.

 

[ellie32526]

If you use the T posts how do you put in a gate to get in?

Here's the pic I took this afternoon

We put scrap strips of paneling down because the rain made it muddy.

 

[sillycmoy]

Thanks, I think we are going to put in Cedar Posts and then run cedar 2x4's on the bottom, middle and top part and staple the hardware cloth to the sections. And then build a wood frame gate. I have been looking at designs all day. I think I can do this fairly easy.

Nice coop and run. I hope ours looks as nice. I'm just more worried about it being dog proof.

 

[ellie32526]

Thanks, I think we are going to put in Cedar Posts and then run cedar 2x4's on the bottom, middle and top part and staple the hardware cloth to the sections. And then build a wood frame gate. I have been looking at designs all day. I think I can do this fairly easy.

Nice coop and run. I hope ours looks as nice. I'm just more worried about it being dog proof.

Thanks, my husband worked so hard on it. I am so proud of him and it.We are not really DIYers.

 

[fmoss3]

Use 1/4" hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Its much safer for the chickens. And instead of using a staple gun, use screws with washers on them to hold the hardware cloth in place.

Like this:


Bury the bottom of the frame, or surround with cement blocks to keep out digging predators. A sturdy frame, and a good door is all you really need for a nice run! Best of luck Post pics when you're done! I'd love to see.