Looking for Easy Run Ideas

[Krugerrand]

If your central FL ground can support using T-Posts, then you don't even need a base frame to go the hoop run route.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/motel-chix.67240/

If completely covered in hardware cloth, they're pretty much everything-proof except for bear. However, if you're looking for something even bigger than that, then electric fence is likely your easiest option. As previously mentioned, you'll want bird netting on top of that or will need to use other strategies.

 

[Luke Potosky]

I would just make a square or rectangular run, depending on how many girls (or boys!) you have I would allocate about 4 sq. ft./ bird of run space, the more the merrier! You could also use T-posts like others have said, galvanized tubes like you would see on chain-link fences, or treated 4x4 posts. If you go the wooden route, make sure at least 1/4 of your post is in concrete, if it's going to be structural, code generally requires 1/3 of the total post length needs to be in the ground filled with concrete. I would cover with 1/2 inch galvanized metal hardware cloth, if you want it to last for more than a year in the humid Florida climate while also keeping predators out. Chicken wire will not cut it; I've seen chickens peck through chicken wire.

 

[perkolator]

I have all the common predators in my area and have lost many chickens over the years, usually when free-ranging. At first I built a simple extra run, just T-posts and 5ft fencing - worked great for a year or so but the chickens could jump over it if they wanted to, and then the local bobcat figured out it could just go over the top of the fence and get dinner. Ended up having to enclose over the top of the run - I used chicken wire supported by bamboo poles from our yard. So far nothing has been able to get into the 2nd run.

IMG_3866.jpg

• perkolator
• Jun 29, 2022

Improving a chicken run with hardware cloth perimeter and overhead chicken wire to keep the...

 

[DickMidnight]

I would allocate about 4 sq. ft./ bird of run space

10ft at minimum, with more being better.