Chicken Run - Buy or Build?

[olayak]

Hi,
We bought a great chicken coop for our babies but now need a chicken run. I thought I found one that I could simply modify, but it was sold out
We live in the country, plenty of mice, weasels, foxes, feral cats, coyotes and even a bear or two (although it has not been seen near where I am placing my coop). So, whatever we have has to be 10000000% predator proof. I am not losing anyone to a predator! And we live in the Northeast, so lots of snow and very cold in the winter (below zero) and hot in the summer (90s).
Very basic building skills, so I'm a bit intimidated about building my own. I would prefer to buy a run kit, but I can't seem to find a large stand-alone run for purchase. We have 4 Cornish X that are adopted pets and are currently 4 weeks old. We may be getting a 5th soon. I've been going nuts trying to find something online, but can't seem to find anything to suit my needs. I would appreciate any advice and/or help! The babies will need to move outside soon!
Thanks

 

[hillbilly91]

Hi,
We bought a great chicken coop for our babies but now need a chicken run. I thought I found one that I could simply modify, but it was sold out
We live in the country, plenty of mice, weasels, foxes, feral cats, coyotes and even a bear or two (although it has not been seen near where I am placing my coop). So, whatever we have has to be 10000000% predator proof. I am not losing anyone to a predator! And we live in the Northeast, so lots of snow and very cold in the winter (below zero) and hot in the summer (90s).
Very basic building skills, so I'm a bit intimidated about building my own. I would prefer to buy a run kit, but I can't seem to find a large stand-alone run for purchase. We have 4 Cornish X that are adopted pets and are currently 4 weeks old. We may be getting a 5th soon. I've been going nuts trying to find something online, but can't seem to find anything to suit my needs. I would appreciate any advice and/or help! The babies will need to move outside soon!
Thanks

A 10x10x6 with a canopy for shad. Throw some poultry netting over the kennel and your good to go. Easy to move and durable.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I personally would build. I would love to start from scratch. Get it fortified the way I want.
Maybe someday....

 

[olayak]

What about this?
https://www.chickencondos.com/catal...en-run-with-metal-top-four-sided/category/23/

Is 1"x1" wire going to allow weasels in? What about the gaps along the door? I know Rugged Ranch sells something similar.
https://overezchickencoop.com/product/rugged-ranch-chicken-run-6-6-x-7-6-x-6-3/
thanks!

 

[olayak]

I personally would build. I would love to start from scratch. Get it fortified the way I want.
Maybe someday....

I would love to build! That would be awesome!! I'm just not that skilled and my husband is super busy right now and the babies can't wait until he has some free time!

 

[MissChick@dee]

What about this?
https://www.chickencondos.com/catal...en-run-with-metal-top-four-sided/category/23/

Is 1"x1" wire going to allow weasels in? What about the gaps along the door? I know Rugged Ranch sells something similar.
thanks!

How many chickens do you have?

 

[olayak]

How many chickens do you have?

Currently 4 Cornish X, but may be getting a 5th soon. They are all 4 weeks old. I would love to build a run, but I'm really nervous, I don't really have build experience.

 

[fur-mum]

You could get a large dog kennel and wrap hardwire cloth around it and on the top. Then run an electric fence to add another layer of protection.

ETA: I mean like a large kennel, not a dog crate. As hillbilly said, 10x10 would be good for that number for birds. Bigger is always better.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Wow do you think that’s a little tight?? I have a 10x20 dog run (200sq ft) for 4 hens. I’m thinking that’s too small. Dunno

 

[L1sa]

I would definitely build. It's actually quite fun building, and anything you don't know about building you can learn along the way, or ask on here!

My husband and I had an agreement, he has no interest in chickens so if I wanted them, I had to build the entire coop/run. So I did! And I have a huge sense of achievement about it too. And haven't lost one to a predator! It's been 3 years now.

Good luck.