The Run

To keep your chickens healthy they need access to fresh air and sunshine and space to run or roam.

 

There are a few options when it comes to runs simple small runs which are attached to the coop which then can be moved with the coop onto fresh grass every now and then.  Or we can go to a more permeant structure where the coop will remain and chickens kept in but be aware what might of been an over grown area may soon become a baron desert with every blade of grass devoured.  

 

The chicken run could be the whole of your back garden, or tiny fenced area or pen. Whatever you decide upon, it is always advisable to have the largest area you can manage so your hens can get as much free-range as possible and security from predators.

 

If you buy a small covered run, check that it is suitable to keep your chickens in if there is a bird flu lockdown. This means wild birds cannot enter through any holes, and it is covered or can be covered. A tarp over the top of a wire run will often do.

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You might need to keep your hens in a small run to keep them safe from predators, but I would encourage you to let them out when you’re at home or in the garden for some time to forage.

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A ideal run will be one that is a tall fence usually 1.8m in height to stop any flying over the top with wire buried in the ground to stop anyone digging under the wire and out remember we want to keep the hens in and the predators out.  or a row of flag stones will help with this.  try and go for a weldmesh smaller the holes the better 25mmx25mm will be ideal as this will also keep any wild birds out.