Build Your Own Chicken House - 4 Tips For a Great Run
So you know that any sort of chicken coop worth it's salt needs a run right? I bet you also think that just any old thing will do, so long as it keeps the chickens in? Actually, keeping your chickens in their run should be the last of your concerns when you build your own chicken house.
These are the four things that you should be thinking about when you build your own chicken house run.
Size The run should allow for around 10-15 square feet per bird (Bantams will need less space, If you are running older standard size chickens then go for the 15).
this way the girls all have their space, there will be less chance of squabbles and the run will actually be easier to clean.
Protection More important than keeping your chickens in, a run is your first line of defence when it comes to keeping predators out.
Now I know, it's a fence.
But have you given any thought to how high that fence will need to be? How about how deep into the ground it needs to go? There are many predators - like the fox and raccoon, that will dig under your fence and grab your hens.
What about the type of netting that you will need to use? I know that you are probably assuming that when you build a chicken house that chicken wire will do the job.
Truth be known it is actually pretty flimsy stuff.
No match for the teeth and claws of a hungry raccoon or dog.
What about some sort of ceiling over it to protect your chicken from climbing and flying predators? The Floor What you put on the floor of your run can mean the difference between a really enjoyable and easy care experience for you and your chickens and an experience that is actually a massive chore.
When you build your own chicken house using organic materials like straw, hay or wood chips is a fantastic idea and after you have cleaned the run out, you can put the dirty flooring on the garden as compost.
However there is a major downside to using these organic materials.
you will need to clean the run out regularly, especially once it gets wet.
Organic material soaks up moisture and it does not take long for the decomposition process to start.
If you are not vigilant and quick to clean the wet straw out in no time you will have a mucky, smelly run and really unhappy chickens.
The best flooring for your chicken run is a mix of sand and crushed stones or shingle.
The sand is fantastic for keeping the ground clean and for drainage, the shingle helps to keep the sand loose and 'fluffy' so that it doesn't get hard and compacted.
The Roof You may or may not want to put a roof on your run when you build your own chicken house, but if you have the energy and budget it is definitely a good idea.
Not only will it stop climbing and flying predators from stealing your precious chickens, but when it is done properly it will also provide shelter from the elements for your chickens and your run.
These are the four things that you should be thinking about when you build your own chicken house run.
Size The run should allow for around 10-15 square feet per bird (Bantams will need less space, If you are running older standard size chickens then go for the 15).
this way the girls all have their space, there will be less chance of squabbles and the run will actually be easier to clean.
Protection More important than keeping your chickens in, a run is your first line of defence when it comes to keeping predators out.
Now I know, it's a fence.
But have you given any thought to how high that fence will need to be? How about how deep into the ground it needs to go? There are many predators - like the fox and raccoon, that will dig under your fence and grab your hens.
What about the type of netting that you will need to use? I know that you are probably assuming that when you build a chicken house that chicken wire will do the job.
Truth be known it is actually pretty flimsy stuff.
No match for the teeth and claws of a hungry raccoon or dog.
What about some sort of ceiling over it to protect your chicken from climbing and flying predators? The Floor What you put on the floor of your run can mean the difference between a really enjoyable and easy care experience for you and your chickens and an experience that is actually a massive chore.
When you build your own chicken house using organic materials like straw, hay or wood chips is a fantastic idea and after you have cleaned the run out, you can put the dirty flooring on the garden as compost.
However there is a major downside to using these organic materials.
you will need to clean the run out regularly, especially once it gets wet.
Organic material soaks up moisture and it does not take long for the decomposition process to start.
If you are not vigilant and quick to clean the wet straw out in no time you will have a mucky, smelly run and really unhappy chickens.
The best flooring for your chicken run is a mix of sand and crushed stones or shingle.
The sand is fantastic for keeping the ground clean and for drainage, the shingle helps to keep the sand loose and 'fluffy' so that it doesn't get hard and compacted.
The Roof You may or may not want to put a roof on your run when you build your own chicken house, but if you have the energy and budget it is definitely a good idea.
Not only will it stop climbing and flying predators from stealing your precious chickens, but when it is done properly it will also provide shelter from the elements for your chickens and your run.