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.
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