![]() In more than four years of raising backyard chickens, we’ve discovered snakes, a possum, and a raccoon in our chicken coop. Losing even a few chickens from a small backyard flock is enough to make any homesteader sad, mad, and determined to outsmart those wily predators! …Then I’m sure you know the heartbreak of raising chicks to adulthood, only to have them nabbed by a predator just when they’ve started laying eggs. We’ve lost more than our fair share of birds over the years to a variety of predators, so I am thrilled to be welcoming Kathleen of Roots & Boots to the blog today–you are going to love her practical tips and detailed tutorial for building a chicken run of your own! If you’ve kept chickens for any amount of time… Building a Chicken Run with Kathleen From Roots & Boots Using a shovel or fork walk through your chicken run and remove any wet areas and manure then replace them with a fresh cover. The number of chickens, the amount of space, and the type of floor covering will determine how often your run will have to be cleaned out. You will need to consider your environment when choosing your coverage. ![]() This can include straw, sand, wood shavings, gravel, or a mixture of different kinds. The easiest way to have a clean chicken run is to have a floor covering that can be removed and replaced. Keeping a clean chicken run is important to the health of your chickens. If you are using a chicken tractor or moveable fencing then muddy floors aren’t usually a problem and cleaning isn’t a concern. Chickens will leave you will just dirt in a short period of time (this can get quite messy). If you are using a stationary run you will need to figure out if you will use a ground cover. Birds such as hawks and owls can be a problem from above these can affect the width of your run or determine if it should have a roof.Īs I mentioned before chicken runs can be a fixed fenced-in area but they don’t have to be. Stray dogs, coyotes, and foxes will also dig but can jump a shorter fence. Small predators like raccoons and opossums will climb or dig ( to prevent digging, bury a section of the fence) their way in. The type of predators you are trying to keep away from your chickens is another consideration. Keep in mind there are some breeds that are known for flying over a 6-foot fence. Most chickens can easily make it over a 4-foot fence so many recommend a height of 6 feet. The type of chickens you have should be considered when you are considering the height of your fence. 10 square feet per chicken is a good estimate to start with. A good place to start is by knowing how many square feet per chicken to have. The size of your chicken run will depend on how many chickens you plan on putting in it. Things to consider when designing your chicken run: You want to design a chicken run that is right for your situation, everyone has a different reason for needing a chicken run. ( You see how we did it in this Youtube Video) Building Your Chicken Runīefore you start building your chicken run there are different things that you should take into consideration. Another great way to use your chicken run for homesteading work is to add your compost pile to it. ![]() You can build a chicken tractor which is sort of like a portable chicken run, it allows you to protect and contain your chickens while using their Chicken Power Around the Homestead. ![]() Most chicken runs are connected to chicken coops (learn more about chicken coops by reading Beginners Guide to Chicken Coops) so they can go in and out as often as they wish, but they don’t have to be. Containment – Keep your chickens in the area you would likeĬhicken runs are fenced in spaces outside the coop, allowing your chickens to get some fresh air and “run around”.Chickens can be destructive to plants and gardens.Chicken runs have become the answer for those situations where free-ranging chickens just is not an option. Why Build a Chicken Run?Įveryone loves the idea of chickens ranging free, pecking, scratching, and catching bugs but it doesn’t always work that way. (For a little extra help have a listen to the Podcast episode Getting Chickens for the First Time?)īasics you need to learn about include: What to feed your chickens (We feed a whole grain, non-GMO recipe that you can find in Natural Homestead: 40 Recipes for Critters & Crops), where to house them, and whether they will be free-range or need a chicken run. If this is your first year buying those feed store chicks or chickens in general then there are a few you basic things you will need to know. After all these years I still have a hard time passing up those feed store chick sales, I can’t seem to resist the urge to bring home a few new additions.
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