Chicken run q's

This is just the run not the house. I want to go long rather than high. What is the minimum height I could get away with?
The end of the run rather than chicken wire I am going to clad with wood ( a tongue and groove wood for outdoor use) at the sides and top to give them a sheltered area outside on hot/ cold days.
Can or will foxes chew through wood?

 

Never known a fox break thru wood. Are you saying that the whole top will be covered ?

 

No only part of the top and sides, just for shelter. The rest will be mesh on the rest of the sides and top. So all enclosed.
I have got some good wood that I could use for the uprights but it will only make the run 60 cm high. I don't know how tall chickens are- will they bang their heads?
I am going for ground space for the birds in favour of height. With the cost of mesh weld, I don't want to go any higher than absolutely necessary.

 

Hi Louise , think I'd be inclined to go for about 3ft. (91.4cms) minimum but see what others think too .

 

I'd agree with Gogs, 600 is a bit low. It doesn't have to all be mesh, you could use a combination of that and T&G.

Took apart Sisters old chicken shed yesterday with a view to repairing it for more chickens, just been to worn out today to do much.

Will crack on tommorow, I too have to build a new run, so we can "egg" each other on :DOH:

 

Ta very much. I had seen some runs supposedly for rabbits or chickens on ebay that were about that height but then they'd say anything to sell them. It's a shame as I will have to get some new wood now.

I think I will put the panels at the top of each of the sides, then they can still see out but it will save me a bit on mesh.

 

Don't forget to bury the fencing well below ground to prevent foxes etc. digging underneath to get at the chickens.

I agree 3' is a reasonable height for the run.
The chickens also like a perch of sorts, whether that is a bar or slatted bench within the coop.

 

If its a fixed run consider how you would get in to poo pick,a fixed run needs cleaning more than a movable one otherwise the ground will go stale.Also what about the base are you using just earth or slabs are you going to use bark chippings or hemcore.
I prefer a 6ft high run to allow easy access for feeders and water and defra recommend 1M square/bird but 2M if confined is better.
Lots of good info here IMHO a lot of the chat is OTT in the forums not as good as here!
Poultry Articles, Information, Help for Garden, Backyard Chicken, Poultry Keepers

 

Thanks; it's going to be portable so that I can move it around.

 

If it's portable and the wire won't be going into the ground shouldn't the ground part be wired as well to stop foxes digging underneath? Foxes can be VERY intrepid when there are chickens around!!! :(

Val

 

I want to put a roof over part of the run just to give them some shelter. I quite like the idea of clear onduline as it will keep the run light, But will it make the chickens too hot in summer?
Any ideas ( other than wood) what I can use for a roof that isn't wavy?
I want something that is flat as I don't want critters being able to get .

 

Hi Louise, yes I think that the chicken will definitely be too hot in the sun. The best protection you can give them from the heat is probably some low bushes (they would hide underneath) or trees.
Failing that a wooden mat similar to what you use at the seaside to lie down on, butwith bigger woodstraws. It would have to be positioned like a roof, adequately supported underneath.

You will probably not be critter free, but you will keep away the heat.

For the winter they may be able to give you suggestions in a pet shop, where sometimes they build cages etc. themselves.