How to ACTUALLY build run from 2x4's..?

[secuono]

How do you build a run from 2x4's?

I want to make it at least 30ft by 30ft and minimum 4ft tall. I rather it not be taller because there isn't a need and I won't be living in there anyhow! Maximum size would be around 60ft by 40ft, bird/deer netting on top and hardware cloth on all sides.

How do I build a door/door way?
How do I make the corners strong?
Do I make 10ft wall sections and then lift them up in place and screw them into the next?
How do you make the walls strong enough to stand and to support a top net?
Anything else I should know?
I want to make minimal cuts of the 2x4's. I will be using a hand saw most likely, but even if I get a table saw, I'd like it not to have notches and all that fancy stuff.

Any pictures on how to do this, with steps?

 

[chris deiss]

Have youu ever considered making your run out of chainlink fencing? I think it would be much easier and probably cheaper by the time you buy all of the lumber. You would have to use cedar or green treated 4x4 posts and that would be very expensive. If you go to a do it yourself center like Menards,Lowes,home depot etc they will be able to figure all of your materials and they have free brochures on how to build it and everything. You can get fence fabric in 3ft 4ft 5ft 6ft and 8ft so you can make it any size you want . I am a carpenter by trade and honestly I would not build an enclosure that size out of wood and wire for myself just because the steel fence system is so nice and easy to put together with very little tools required and once you level your first post and set it you use your peices to space it all out. Finally if you look in the phone book and find a fence contractor you might be able to buy used fencing and posts from him and save a huge amount. Hope this helps

 

[secuono]

I'm starting to think I should use heavy duty 5ft T-Posts with the hardware cloth on it.
I can't do chain link, it's very ugly and this is rented land. The lady wants to keep with the other fence styles. There is no chain link for MILES, lol.
Also, the holes are big, don't want snakes or w/e getting in or baby chicks popping out. They can get out of a 1 inch hole!

 

[Baymen Moe]

Although you won't be living in the run, you will need to go in there regularly. Unless you're less than 4 feet tall, I'd suggest making it taller. Especially with a run that large.

My 2 cents.

See my run on my page, 2x4's all around except for the corner posts.

 

[Lilacfeather]

I strongly agree with having a run you can walk into. I've only had mine for 2 weeks, but I am so glad I pushed my husband to make it walk-in height. I do a little bit if daily maintenance, and if you have to catch a chicken it could be a lot more difficult without as much headroom.

 

[secuono]

I may do 5ft then. I'm 5'7, but I do not "need" the head room. If I'm bent over working and not running around pretending I'm a chicken, why bother, lol!

How do you add a gate/door to a fence on T-Posts...??

 

[chris deiss]

Just keep in mind that once you pound them in they are a bear to pull out if you put them in past the T. Either dig them out or pull them with a forklift or skidsteer. Good luck

 

[chickenparents]

30 feet by 30 feet is 900 square feet. At the commonly suggested 4 square feet per bird, that 'run' is big enough for 225 birds. And very expensive. But to answer your questions, you should buy 12 foot 2 by 4's and cut them in half to make the posts. Every five feet or so should be able to support the roof. Also you need to support the posts from leaning so you need more posts to supprt them, and steaks to stop them from moving sideways. And you will need supports for the ceiling in the middle, unless you can find 30 foot pieces of wood. To make a door, you need a frame for the outside of it, and the door itself needs a frame. Hardware stores sell hinges and latches. You can support all angles in th ewood with a foot or two of wood, making a 'triangle', at the ninety degree angles. Also, I read somewhere to bury hardware cloth about two inches under the ground attached to the perimiter going outward, to keep digging animals out.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
4 square feet is for the coop. It's 10 sq. ft. per bird for the run.

chickenparents!

Oh, and those are just the guidelines I have seen the old-timers say over and over on this board. I don't mean to say that 4 sq. ft. would be wrong for someone to do.

 

[Jenski]

For height, I agree on higher rather than lower. My mini pen is 4', and it is seriously a pain to get in there and clean. I can't tell you how many times I have cracked my head on the ceiling at 5:30 a.m.

5' will work, but we like a 6' run. We do ours from 2 x 4s with 1/2" hardware cloth. We build them in 3'-4' sections so we can move them around easily, and then we attach them with either deck screws or lag bolts. It is best to have 2 people for that part.

* Covered runs - for covered runs we attach 2 x 4 ceiling beams every 3-4 feet. We use 1 x 2 wire fencing and just attach it on top with large plastic zip ties.
* Corners - we have not reinforced corners for our runs, but one thing we have done is to make some 2" x 2" perches that run diagonally across the corners. The birds love it, and it does also provide some support.

Here are some pics of one of these pens. Hope that helps.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=12029-banty_playhouse

Good luck!