Free range chickens have a lot of benefits. Last year when we got our chickens, we were planning on a few of these. They eat all kinds of bugs from our yard. When they eat bugs, it saves us money because it is free food. Another benefit is free fertilizer. When chickens roam all over the yard, it is like a roaming fertilizer.
Despite all of the benefits of free range chickens, there is one big drawback. Chickens really like flowers. Last year we had many plants get decimated by our chickens. Impatiens? Gone. Hydrangeas? They were goners too. As the weather warms, flowers are approaching. For us, this means we have to keep our chickens at bay.
The chickens live in a luxurious chicken coop. But it would be cruel to keep them “cooped up” all of the time. So how do we keep the chickens contained but yet let them get out of their henhouse to run around? A chicken run.
Chickens are checking out their future playground.
The most important part of the chicken run is not necessarily to keep the chickens in. It is to keep all other predators out (like this raccoon invasion on our coop). Therefore, it has to be relatively secure. This means that the fence above the ground needs to keep out animals like racoons and coyotes. However, the fence has to also keep out digging animals such as foxes from entering the coop as well.
The two main parts of the fence are the wooden posts/rails and the fence material. I wont get too far into the details on how to put up a fence, but will just talk about the details that are unique to chicken runs.
The first important thing unique to a chicken run is to bury the fencing about a foot deep. There are animals such as foxes that will dig under the fence. Burying the fence prevents these animals from being able to dig underneath of the fence.
Digging a trench to bury the fence keeps the digging animals out.
The second important thing about a chicken run is choosing strong fence. Despite its name, chicken wire isn’t suitable for chicken runs. A raccoon could rip right through the flimsy wiring. A better alternative is chain link or welded wire fence. Our fence is 2″ x 4″ welded wire fencing. Although it won’t keep a predator paw out, it will definitely keep the predators from invading our chickens.
Putting the first row of welded wire fence onto the posts. See the snow in early March? A very rare occurernce this winter.
Third, a roof is absolutely necessary. Hawks and owls are a threat from above as are climbing animals. We don’t want any visitors dropping in to see our chickens!
The chicken run complete with roof and door. Also, notice that it's 6-7 feet tall so that we can get in to walk if we want.
That’s it. The other parts of installing a chicken fence are pretty standard with other fences. Set the posts in their holes and stretch the fence around the posts. Although the chickens might not like me for keeping them fenced up now, our flowers sure will be happy! Later on this year when we don’t have plants to protect, we’ll start letting them free range again.
