Building Your Own Chicken Run – Getting Started
To create a healthy environment for your chickens a good quality chicken run is essential. The first thing you need to do is decide how much space you can allot to your coop.
In general you should allow at least ten square feet per chicken so make sure you have enough room before buying your chickens. You should never crowd too many chickens into your chicken run.
Chickens can be quite territorial and need enough personal space to move about, if they don’t have enough space they are more likely to fight with each other. It is also worth remembering that chickens produce far more eggs if they have a comfortable environment. This includes things like having plenty of light, good nesting facilities, fresh air and access to some open space for exercise.
With this in mind, follow the steps below when planning your chicken run and get the most from your space.
Step 1 – Your chicken run should be connected to your coop so as to avoid having to move the chickens from one area to another. Using twine or yarn and some tent pegs or small branches, mark out the area of your planned chicken run, remembering to allow at least ten feet by ten feet for every chicken.
Step 2 – Make sure you use materials of high quality that will stand the test of time. Make ground rails inside the parameter of your space using untreated 2 x 4″ boards. Treated wood can be toxic to chickens so make sure the wood is untreated.
Next, to create the frame for your chicken run, plant 4 x 4″ posts at intervals around your parameter. You should sink the posts about 6 – 12″ down, if you live in an area that gets a lot of wet weather you may need to use concrete.
Hardware mesh is available from most building supply stores or home improvement depots and is much preferable to “chicken wire” as it gives more protection from predators and is much stronger in rough weather.
Step 3 – Chickens need to drink a lot of water so build the a trough in an area that they are likely to pass often during the day. Use a good heavy trough or pan and connect it to a water supply. Make sure to keep all food and water dishes clean so as to not attract vermin.
Step 4 – Chickens need a good supply of grit from the soil in order to grind their food. If your soil is too fine place some ground oyster shell in a bowl or on the ground in the run.
If you have provided your chickens with enough room and a safe, comfortable environment you can be sure of having a plentiful supply of good eggs and your chicken will be healthy, happy, and productive.
DIY Chicken Coop Design Guide
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If you do, check out the Building A Chicken Coop plans by Bill Keene. Bill is an seasoned chicken farmer with more than 20 years experience.
His DIY chicken coop plans was created to teach you how to build a small, medium and also large chicken coop on a shoestring budget. For more information, click on the link below and see what Bill has to offer.
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What You Ought To Know About DIY Chicken Run
In order to keep your chickens healthy, you need to have a proper chicken run. You should allow for at least 10 square feet of open range area per chicken. It is wise not to buy chickens until your chicken coop and run are completely set up. This will ensure that you do not overcrowd your chickens.
Chickens require personal space; if they do not have enough space to run around, they end up fighting for their own territory. In addition, chickens will not produce well if they do not have adequate light, ventilation and exercise space.
Follow these easy steps in order to create the ideal chicken coop and run for your space.
Step 1
Attach the chicken run to the coop. This will prevent you from having to constantly move chickens from the coop to the run. Make an outline of the projected chicken run you will use by using placing pencils or sticks in the ground and running a string along the border. Make sure you allow each chicken 10 square feet of personal space.
Step 2
It is wise to use top quality materials that will last a long time and withstand the weather in your area. Make a ground rail border with 2 x 4 boards. Since treated wood can be poisonous to the chickens, you should use untreated wood.
Place 4 x 4″ posts about 6 – 12″ deep around the parameter of the chicken run. Typical runs are square or rectangle in shape. If your locale is generally wet, it is wise to anchor your posts in concrete.
“Chicken wire” is actually not an effective predator barrier. Hardware mesh is a better building material. You can find hardware mesh in most hardware stores.
Step 3
Your chicken run will need a water trough and feeder. Place your water trough in a high-traffic area as chickens drink lots of water. The best option is either a heavy round pan or a metal water trough that is connected to water. It is important to clean the water trough and empty any uneaten food at night. If you don’t, you will invite rats.
Step 4
Chickens need grit in order for their gizzards to process food. Oyster shell is a good source of grit – set out a dish for ground oyster shells in the run. Creating a simple outdoor chicken run will help your chickens stay healthy and produce a lot of high quality eggs.
DIY Chicken Coop Design Guide
Do you want to know how to build a poultry housing in your back yard?
If you do, check out the Building A Chicken Coop plans by Bill Keene. Bill is an seasoned chicken farmer with more than 20 years experience.
His DIY chicken coop plans was created to teach you how to build a small, medium and also large chicken coop on a shoestring budget. For more information, click on the link below and see what Bill has to offer.
