PVC run help

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davis_i21

In the Brooder
Mar 3, 2022
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Hi folks.
This is my first time owning chickens. I have a smallish coop with a small attached run designed for 6 birds (which I think will work well for my 4 larger australorps) but I want to give them more access to the outside while I'm away at work during the day (they'll be free ranging when I'm home to watch them) so I want to make a run extension. Ideally I'd be putting the coop inside of the run so they can go in and out easily without me having to fit specifications of the coop door. I obviously want it to be secure and predator proof, but also like the idea of something easy to build and mobile like a pvc pipe run. For context I live in a suburb in southwest Michigan. I've seen raccoons and stray cats about, and we definitely have birds of prey. But dogs and foxes are not as big an issue for me.

My thoughts right now are making a 10x10x4 PVC frame with hardware cloth (as opposed to chicken wire like I've seen on other tutorials for pvc runs). Similar to the attached photo which is taken from a YouTube video by Mason Dixon Acres. I'm worried this won't be strong enough to withstand predators trying to get in, especially if it's only held together with zip ties and pvc glue. Could a raccoon or something tip a structure like this over if they really wanted? But as I have no prior experience...I'm not sure. I don't want to be too risky but I'm also trying to stay economical here.

Should I just bite the bullet and build a run out of wood, or is pvc a good alternative for what I'm thinking? Anybody have any experience or advice with pvc runs like this? Any and all advice/help is appreciated.
Capture.PNG
 
I think a predator could easily thwart a fully pvc run. Perhaps a good alternative would be to build a base out of pressure treated wood and then use pvc as a framing material to save on cost. Another consideration is snow load. If i'm not mistaken that will be a primary concern in Michigan. If the snow is wet/thick, I don't think a PVC/HWC combo will hold up.

I think @muddy75 has a pvc aviary. Perhaps they can weigh in.
 
The wind can pick up a PVC extension and flip it - I use one for my littles (10 days to 3 weeks) to give them time outside on the native soils before moving them to the grow out pen. The larger it is, the harder to lift and the more stable it becomes - but if you roof it (even with fabric), that's a lot of surface area to provide lift.

The PVC glue is a solvent weld - if you do it right, it will NOT come apart. Mine is actually press fit, no glue at all, and I can pick it up and cart it around w/o it falling apart. Its also smaller (4x6x4), and I used center bracing on the long walls to add stiffness. It doesn't have metal walls of any sort, which would add (a tiny bit) of additional stiffness. At 10x10, you will definitely want at least two braces along each wall. I would also use heavier (larger diameter) PVC than I did the first time around.

Finally, the solution to it flipping is to stake it down. Doesn't take much. Won't keep critters drom digging under, but will definitely keep it from flipping or lifting. Mine has a very thin nylon fabric roof (think sun cloth, only thinner still), and that's were most of the wind lift comes from.

Obviously, my build has a lot of fails I've learned from, and would do it differently next time. Hope my experience helps you avoid my errors.
 
U_Stormcrow said:
The wind can pick up a PVC extension and flip it - I use one for my littles (10 days to 3 weeks) to give them time outside on the native soils before moving them to the grow out pen. The larger it is, the harder to lift and the more stable it becomes - but if you roof it (even with fabric), that's a lot of surface area to provide lift.

The PVC glue is a solvent weld - if you do it right, it will NOT come apart. Mine is actually press fit, no glue at all, and I can pick it up and cart it around w/o it falling apart. Its also smaller (4x6x4), and I used center bracing on the long walls to add stiffness. It doesn't have metal walls of any sort, which would add (a tiny bit) of additional stiffness. At 10x10, you will definitely want at least two braces along each wall. I would also use heavier (larger diameter) PVC than I did the first time around.

Finally, the solution to it flipping is to stake it down. Doesn't take much. Won't keep critters drom digging under, but will definitely keep it from flipping or lifting. Mine has a very thin nylon fabric roof (think sun cloth, only thinner still), and that's were most of the wind lift comes from.

Obviously, my build has a lot of fails I've learned from, and would do it differently next time. Hope my experience helps you avoid my errors.
Click to expand...
thank you so much for the info!
 
PVC pipes are strong enough for what you are making. The PVC glue is stronger than you think. It is not a glue in a sense,,, but it melts the PVC, so it fuses together chemically. No way in 7734 to undo once set. Use 2 inch PVC pipes, and attach hardware cloth with screws, and washers. You would need to get short deck screws, and fender washers. I suggest deck screws because they come in boxes by weight, and are strong, rustproof, and cheap. Pre-drill thin holes into plastic pipe,,,,,, then screw in the screw with washer. Use a small drill size, like 1/16 inch for that.
Raccoons are night time predators. Cats,,,,, well my cats do not bother my chickens,, but that can not be said about ALL cats. Your structure would be safe from cat predators.
I don't see exactly how your coop, and run look like, but can imagine it from your description. I would suggest that you place your made run attached to the current run,, and have a close-able gate or pop door between the two. This way you can anchor the new run into the ground with some rebar hooks you can make yourself.
For the night,,, close off the access between the the runs if you think it is necessary.
Ask anything that is not clear in my explanation. :idunno

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and:welcome
 
cavemanrich said:
PVC pipes are strong enough for what you are making. The PVC glue is stronger than you think. It is not a glue in a sense,,, but it melts the PVC, so it fuses together chemically. No way in 7734 to undo once set. Use 2 inch PVC pipes, and attach hardware cloth with screws, and washers. You would need to get short deck screws, and fender washers. I suggest deck screws because they come in boxes by weight, and are strong, rustproof, and cheap. Pre-drill thin holes into plastic pipe,,,,,, then screw in the screw with washer. Use a small drill size, like 1/16 inch for that.
Raccoons are night time predators. Cats,,,,, well my cats do not bother my chickens,, but that can not be said about ALL cats. Your structure would be safe from cat predators.
I don't see exactly how your coop, and run look like, but can imagine it from your description. I would suggest that you place your made run attached to the current run,, and have a close-able gate or pop door between the two. This way you can anchor the new run into the ground with some rebar hooks you can make yourself.
For the night,,, close off the access between the the runs if you think it is necessary.
Ask anything that is not clear in my explanation. :idunno

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and:welcome
Click to expand...
thanks for the info! the deck screws are a great idea! i appreciate it!
 

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