What to use for run?

[themidnightmama]

I am building a new run and need some advice on what materials to use/how to build it. The run will be L-shaped with the two larger sides made up of our existing wood fence and a portion of the inner corner of the “L” shape made up of the coop itself. That leaves three small sections to enclose of 10’, 5’ and 7’ with a gate on the 7’ section. (Photo attached for clarity).
My first question is what materials to use? The fencing will attach to either the wood fence or the coop at all corners except one, and there is one existing post where the two smaller sections meet that will hold the gate.
I am considering (a) buried posts with 2x4s across bottom, middle and top sections with chicken wire attacked. (We have few predators and I will line the bottom with buried hardware cloth). From my calculations, this would require 10-6’ 2x4s plus 2 posts. Does this sound right, or is there a way I can use less lumber? Or can I just use (b) metal t-posts?
My other question is whether I can get away with leaving the top open? I have had trouble with hens hopping the privacy fence in the past, but could this be solved with some chicken wire attached at an angle at the top?
My goal is to build the run and cheaply and simply as possible.
What would you do?

 

[cavemanrich]

My goal is to build the run and cheaply and simply as possible.

Since you have few predators to worry about, and want to do this on a budget, here is how I see it. Using chicken wire is only to keep chickens in, and limited protection from small predators.
Chicken wire comes in 24 inch 36 inch and 48 inch widths. Not sure how high your wood fence is? I suggest you make the chicken wire netting/fence same height as your wood fence. You can just stretch it between posts, to fence, to coop, and eliminate the cross 2x4, if you need to save cash. Weave a sturdy wire as top support/stabilizer. Do same for bottom, and anchor into ground. You can get creative and do it with stuff you may have on hand. You can use metal coat hangers that can be had for free, if you know where to search.
Get some inexpensive bird netting for top/overhead. That will keep your chickens inside, and more importantly, protect from flying raptors. For the nighttime, make sure chickens are locked up in your secure coop. It seem that your coop is secure enough, since you state, predator risk is low. That translates to me as no severe losses have occurred.
I know that there are countless peeps that will suggest not using chicken wire, and opt, for Hardware cloth. I agree that Hardware cloth is good. It is not difficult for someone to suggest you purchase a Cadillac, when your budget does not even allow for a Chevy. Maybe they have some extra they would like to donate to you.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[LateBirdFarms]

There's always the option of using hardware cloth on on the lower portions of your fenced sections and chicken wire on the top half with the bird netting cavemanrich suggested overhead. The great thing about bird netting is that it's super light, doesn't require a ton of support to suspend and you'll save a good few pennies on the prison yard angled wire extension to your privacy fence that you can put to use elsewhere Remember to check daily for any damage if going with lighter grade wiring like chicken wire, and if your lucky the raccoon population in your area is already well fed, fat and lazy like mine. Here they usually take more than a single night to make a decent hole that you can repair before they actually get into the run to do any serious damage to the coop and the hens inside!
If you have access to stones from farmers fields, river rocks or similar, they work well around the bottom of a run if you want to save a bit more on lumber if you arent using the wood to anchor the wire to. One of my absolute favorite things about chickens is that you can use just about anything to keep them corralled if you're not concerned with keeping things out of the run! It all comes down to aesthetics and durability if predators aren't a problem and your coop is solid enough to keep out a determined raccoon. I use our snow fencing and the Tbars we use to put it up for temporary summer runs when I want a particular part of the garden turned and they hold up just fine as long as I go through the effort of using heavy gauge wire strung from post to post woven through the fencing on the top and bottom to keep it taut.
Just a disclaimer though since I'd feel like dirt if you took my advice on the tbars and something happens... please be absolutely sure about the number of predators in your area, saving a bit of cash now might cost you your favorite feathered friend later

 

[themidnightmama]

Thank you! I think you’re right that I could get away with eliminating the cross pieces on the shorter sections. But one side is about 11’ and I feel like I need one. Maybe I could just install one grounded post there.
My coop is very secure and has a small “run” on the bottom that is fully enclosed on all sides and underground several inches with hardware cloth. I stitched the seams with wire so nothing is getting in there.
I appreciate your suggestions! Thank you