Is there a way to make a chain-link dog run mobile?

[CrazyCatLady76]

This is quite possibly a really foolish question, but it would solve a lot of issues I'm having designing our coop and run. We had originally planned on a mobile coop/run so the birdies could have fresh grass while staying safe from neighborhood dogs and there wouldn't be any poo buildup or bald spots on the lawn to offend persnickety neighbors, but then we wound up with six chicks and it's really hard to come up with something big enough for all of them that's secure and solid but also light enough to move around. I see a handful of people selling secondhand chainlink dog runs with roofs pretty cheaply, which with a little modification would make an awesome run. We could build a little coop to go inside it pretty easily.

Which would be great, except for the whole no fresh grass thing.

So then I got to wondering if there was a way to make the whole setup mobile. A 4x4 coop could be made mobile pretty easily, as it wouldn't weigh such a lot--if it's elevated all you'd really have to do is frame in the legs for stability and add wheels. I just don't know about the kennel. It seems like there ought to be some way to do it, I just don't know that would be.

Anybody got any ideas?

 

[GiddyMoon]

You could find the large chainlink gate panels on wheels off craigslist or something..I see them listed frequently

 

[patandchickens]

THere are several people on this forum, unfortunately I do not remember names, who have bolted wheels onto the bottom frame of a chainlink kennel to make it mobile. Digproofing is an issue, unless you have extensive flip-down aprons, and obviously this only works on flat and firm ground; but it can certainly be done if you really want to.

The best a very lazy couple minutes of Search could turn up (for me - probably you could do better, I did not exactly knock myself out LOL) was https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=335198 but that may put you 'on the trail' of people who've done it.

You need to make sure to get a GOOD QUALITY kennel -- the cheapie ones often have such thin-gauge and/or loosely-installed or poorly-fastened chainlink that they are not even dogproof as kennels, let alone predatorproof as coops

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[CrazyCatLady76]

Saddle-clamping lumber on to make a place to attach the wheels! It's perfect, and I would never have thought of it in a million years. Thanks so much for your help!

This place is so awesome.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I haul my 6 x 10 dog kennel around by myself when I have chickens growing out in it. It is not easy to do, but doable when the distance moved is short (just to get fresh grass, shifted slightly).

It weighs 175 lb.

Wheels would be wonderful. I am subscribing.

I have a chick-n-hutch inside it. THAT is a pain to move. I feel like I'm going to rip the legs off it one day.

IMO you need wheels for the coop too.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Look up soccer goals, there are companies that make wheels for them that bolt on and can be set down to move the large goal,and then they flip up when not in use. Very handy indeed when you need to move them around as they weigh a lot.

 

[Mist Farmer Wannabe]

Oh my goodness!! I love this site! I was having the same daydream of using a dog run as a chicken run and coup, and trying to figure out how to attach wheels!! I am using the bulk of my money on a solid American made 10ft X10ft dog run. I am using recycled materials to build the coup as a loft style right onto one side of the run. I will look up the soccer goal wheels that flip up when not in use. I wonder if I will be able to attach them directly to the metal frame of the kennel or if I will need to saddle clamp the kennel on a wooden frame and then attach the wheels. I need to make sure the frame stays flush to the ground when in use.