Suitable run size?

[Anonymous]

I'm busy contemplating my future set up next year (when I will hopefully be getting my first chooks yey!!!) and have approached my uncle who's a bit of a handyman to help me construct a walk-in run and he said yes but I'd have to know what materials etc and also what size so this is where I pop up!

A : what type wire / mesh do I need? also best type timber and size?
B : what size run would be suitable for 13 hybrid chickens (I'm not getting that many at first but thats how many I would like to end up wih so obviously better be prepared for the final figure)

Thank you so much in advance.

Donna. x

 

[Lucylou]

Hi Donna,

Just catching up reading some more posts from when I was on holiday (just in case there's been something that fills a gap in my very limited knowledge ) & I've found your question. My experience might help. I couldn't find much info when I needed it but pieced together bits & bobs & I think this info might be a good start.

I built my run just over a year ago for my first little chicken famly. We have a large garden so I went for a good size, 4 mtr x 6 mtr to keep 7 chooks, I now wish I made it larger I think it is suggested that 1 mtr of ground per chook but most allow much more than this. I have 6ft wire fence with full height gate supported with 4" x 4"posts every 6'. The one thing that is essential is to dig the fence (wire or whatever), into the ground min 12" to prevent predators digging under, also make sure you do the same under the gate too (I have a cement strip). Also a good catch/bolt on the gate to keep foxes out & also to prevent human error wherever poss. The wire came from a local builders merchant, shop around, prices varied enormously. It should be galvanised & a small diameter 'hole', mine is 1".

I then had a fox attack & lost all mine so I now have a wire pitched roof over the run. (My friend saw a fox chasing a cat & it jumped a 5ft brick wall as easily as a horse!!) So depending on your area & the potential predators take precautions.

After I'd made mine I found a superb picture of an enclosed run someone had built, I will try & find it for you. If I can't find this good one I'll take a pic of mine, it isnt a work or art but adequate - no prizes for the diy!!

Hope this helps

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your help. I was beginning to think people were ignoring me lol!

It would be great if you could dig out the picture of the set up. I have an idea of what I'd like but I've no idea if it would be suitable for the chooks!

Once again, thanks.

Donna. x

 

[Tim]

A. 1 Inch 'Rabbit Wire' / Chicken Wire can be torn by a determined fox - however this is what most people use and if there are no weak points, you will probably be ok so long as your chooks are locked up after dark. I guess the question is how far do you go... there's a 1" rectangular wire that a fox can't tear but it isn't cheap and any fence is only as good as the weakest link so you need to make sure joins, ends etc are sound.

B. I would try to give them as much space as you can really.

If their run is small but you can let them out to free range when you're around, that will help them - but if they are going to be kept in the run most of the time then even a large area can turn to mud quickly so consider giving them wood chippings on the floor / gravel and lots of greens hanging so they can spend some time pecking them.

I was beginning to think people were ignoring me lol!

Sorry, missed this one Donna Lucylou's advice also seems pretty sound to me...

Hope this helps

 

[victorias poultry]

I agree with Tim, try and give the birds the largest run area as possible, it will stay grassed for longer. If you have the space try and have 2 runs for them so when one run becomes muddy or short on grass you can move them to a new area and let the 1st run recover.