Building A Spacious And Secure Chicken Run

Building a large covered fenced chicken run can be a daunting task, but it is essential to keep your chickens safe from predators and the elements. In this guide, we will cover the steps to build a secure and comfortable chicken run, including choosing the right fencing materials, constructing a sturdy structure, and providing adequate coverage and protection for your feathered friends. We will also discuss the benefits of a covered run and how to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your chickens. By following these comprehensive instructions, you will be able to create a functional and safe space for your chickens to roam and enjoy the outdoors.

Chicken wire is not enough to keep out predators

To keep predators out, you can add a strip of hardware cloth, or some sort of metal fencing with very small holes (no larger than 1/2"), along the bottom of the run. You could also use heavy-duty C-flex 80 round deer fencing to cover the run and secure it with zip ties. Another option is to use 1/2" or 1" gauge fencing to keep out small and large predators. Make sure to attach the fencing tightly to the posts, and dig a trench to bury the fence about 6-12 inches deep to prevent digging predators like coyotes and dogs from gaining access.

For added protection, you can also cover the wire with a layer of dirt, allowing the chickens to still scratch. Plastic poultry netting is another option, and it comes in a variety of colours and lengths. It can be useful for blending in with your yard's surroundings. Chain-link fencing is also an option, though it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing.

Bury fencing to protect against digging predators

To build a large covered fenced chicken run, you must consider the threat of predators. Burying fencing is a good way to protect against digging predators such as dogs, coyotes, foxes, and badgers.

Firstly, you should dig a trench around the perimeter of your run. The trench should be around 6-12 inches deep, depending on the type of soil and how level the ground is. You can then sink fencing into the trench. The fencing should be strong and durable, with a gauge of 1/2" or 1" to keep out small and large predators. Attach the fencing to the posts using staples and a hammer, securing it tightly.

Another option is to use an L-shaped footer, which can prevent wild animals from burrowing. This can be homemade using fencing material or purchased. The footer should be buried about a foot deep and extended out at a 90-degree angle to create a horizontal barrier. The size of the wire mesh depends on the size of the animals you want to keep out.

You can also add a strip of hardware cloth or similar metal fencing with very small holes (no larger than 1/2") along the bottom of the run. This can be expensive, so you may want to use a cheaper material for the majority of the run and add hardware cloth at the bottom.

For added protection, you can also include an electric wire at the bottom of the fence to deter digging predators.

Cover the run to protect against climbing predators

To protect your chickens from climbing predators, it is important to cover the run. While chicken wire can be used to contain chickens, it will not keep out predators. Raccoons, for example, can reach through the openings to kill a chicken, and hawks can reach in with their talons.

To prevent this, you can use hardware cloth (metal fencing with holes no larger than 1/2 inch) or heavy-duty C-flex 80 round deer fencing to cover the run. This will keep out climbing predators and can be secured with zip ties. You can also use hog paneling. For additional protection, you can bury the hardware cloth around the perimeter of the coop, preventing digging predators from accessing the run.

If you are set on covering the run completely, you could put a large post in the middle and cover it with netting or chicken wire in a teepee style. Be sure to use strong netting, as hawks can crash through lightweight bird netting. Another option is to stretch monofilament fishing line over the top of the chicken run in a crisscross pattern about 4-6 feet apart. This will prevent hawks, owls, and eagles from entering the run.

Use hardware cloth to protect against small predators

Chicken wire is not enough to keep predators out of your chicken coop. Raccoons can tear through chicken wire, snakes and weasels can slip through the gaps, and dogs, foxes, and coyotes can rip it apart. To protect your flock, you need hardware cloth.

Hardware cloth is a metal mesh made from galvanized steel or stainless steel. It is durable, versatile, and effective against predators of all shapes and sizes. It creates a sturdy, impenetrable barrier that keeps predators out, from raccoons to rats to hawks. Its small openings (no larger than 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch) ensure that even the smallest predators, like weasels and snakes, can't squeeze through.

When installing hardware cloth, cut it to size with heavy-duty wire cutters, being sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges. Secure it to wooden frames using heavy-duty staples or screws with washers to prevent predators from prying it loose. Bury the bottom edge of the hardware cloth about 6 to 12 inches deep to deter digging predators. Cover any openings in your coop larger than 1/4 inch with hardware cloth, including windows, vents, and gaps in doors.

In addition to hardware cloth, there are other measures you can take to protect your flock. Elevate your coop off the ground to keep it free of rodents like mice and rats. Use sliding bolt locks or latches that lock into place to secure doors at night. Cover the top of your chicken run to protect against climbing predators like foxes and raccoons, as well as aerial predators like hawks, eagles, and owls. You can use heavy-duty C-flex 80 round deer fencing or monofilament fishing line to cover the top of the run.

Keep the run clean with removable floor covering

Keeping a clean chicken run is important for the health of your chickens. The easiest way to do this is to use a removable floor covering. This can be made of straw, sand, wood shavings, gravel, or a mixture of different kinds. You will need to consider your environment when choosing your coverage. The number of chickens, the amount of space, and the type of floor covering will determine how often your run will need to be cleaned out. For example, chopped straw should be changed once it starts to smell or look soiled. Straw or other bedding alternatives can make your chickens feel comfortable while they are outside.

Leaves can also be used as a floor covering. Rake them into the run in the fall when they start to fall for free outdoor bedding. Construction-grade sand can also be used, as can gravel. If you are using a chicken tractor or moveable fencing, muddy floors are usually not a problem, and cleaning is less of a concern. However, if you are using a stationary run, you will need to figure out if you will use a ground cover, as chickens will leave you with just dirt in a short period of time, which can get quite messy.

Frequently asked questions