How to Build a Chicken Run: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Having chickens is incredibly rewarding. From the fresh eggs every morning to their quirky personalities, chickens make great pets. However, letting them free-range all day can lead to trouble. Chickens will dig up your garden, ruin your landscaping, and become easy prey for predators. The solution? Build a safe and secure chicken run attached to their coop.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to build the perfect chicken run From planning the layout to choosing materials and constructing the frame, we’ve got you covered With some basic DIY skills and standard tools, you can create a predator-proof outdoor space your flock will love.

Benefits of a Chicken Run

A chicken run provides many benefits

• Safety – The run keeps your chickens safe from predators when you aren’t home to supervise. Dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums, hawks, and neighborhood cats will all see your chickens as prey.

• Controlled Access to the Outdoors – Chickens need time outside of the coop every day, A run allows them outdoor access while keeping them safely contained

• Protects Your Landscaping – Free-range chickens will dig up and eat your flowers, vegetables, and other garden plants. A run keeps your landscaping safe.

• Prevents Wandering – Chickens love to explore. But letting them wander could lead to them being hit by cars or getting lost. A run keeps them close to home.

• Sanitation: Keeping their food and water outside keeps the coop clean. This reduces smells and chances of frostbite in winter.

Planning Your Chicken Run

When planning your chicken run, follow these guidelines:

• Location – Place the run right next to the coop with the side doors lining up. This allows easy access between the two spaces.

• Layout – Opt for a rectangular or square shape. Avoid long, narrow runs. Give them as much interior space as possible.

• Size: Each chicken should have at least 10 square feet of space in the run. It should be bigger than you think you’ll need to allow for future flock growth.

• Materials – Use rot-resistant wood like cedar or cypress for structural elements. Choose 1/2″ hardware cloth or welded wire for fencing.

• Predator Protection – Fortify the run against digging predators by burying wire fencing at least 8-12″ underground around the perimeter.

• Weather Protection – Add a roof to prevent rain accumulation and keep the run from becoming a muddy mess. This also protects food and water from the elements.

• Access – Install doors into the coop and at least one human access gate. The doors should swing outward and have springs for automatic closing.

Constructing the Chicken Run Frame

Follow these steps to build a secure chicken run frame:

Install Perimeter Fence Posts

• Space 4×4″ posts 6-8 feet apart around the perimeter of the planned run layout.

• Dig holes 12″ deep and place the posts inside. Fill holes with concrete for maximum stability.

• Use a level to ensure all posts are perfectly vertical and tops are aligned.

Add Horizontal Support Beams

• Screw 2×4″ boards horizontally to connect the tops of all perimeter posts.

• In the same way, add the middle and lower support beams. Place the wire fencing between the vertical posts and horizontal boards.

• Place vertical 2×4″ boards between the horizontal beams every 1-2 feet for a reinforced frame.

Create Trusses for Roof

• Use 2×4″ boards joined in triangles to make roof truss assemblies. Place trusses 4 feet apart.

• Use hurricane ties to anchor the trusses securely to the top of the run frame.

• Leave space between trusses nearest the coop to allow the door to fully open.

Installing the Chicken Run Fencing

The fencing is what keeps predators out and chickens safely contained. Follow these recommendations:

• Bury galvanized 1/2″ hardware cloth 1 foot deep around the base of the run to prevent digging predators.

• Wrap 1/2″ hardware cloth around the outside of the frame, stapling it to the posts every 6 inches.

• Use sturdy 1″ chicken wire above the buried hardware cloth up to 6-8 feet high. This saves cost without sacrificing security.

• Add 1/2″ hardware cloth across the entire ceiling area and bury the edges in dirt around the perimeter to prevent climbing predators.

• Overlap all seams by at least 4 inches and use wire or metal snaps to connect. Eliminate gaps.

• Attach a gate with spring hinges, fastening it to posts with galvanized hinges. Add a latch to keep it closed. Install doors into the coop.

Essential Chicken Run Additions

Beyond just the basic frame and fencing, be sure to include these elements:

• Shade – Full sun is great in winter but dangerous in summer. Add shade cloth or position near trees.

• Roosting Bars – Chickens love perches. Install some horizontal roosting poles inside for enrichment.

• Food and Water – Hang or mount feed and water containers inside to keep them clean and prevent freezing.

• Bedding – Spread 4-6 inches of pine shavings or straw across the floor of the run for comfort and cleanliness.

• Electricity – If you live in a cold climate, run power to the run for heated water bowls in winter.

• Dust Bath Area – Create a dedicated section filled with loose dirt or sand for chickens to dust bathe.

• Dividers – Consider dividing the coop and run to keep flocks separate as needed for introduction of new chickens, brooding, injuries, or breeding.

Building your own chicken run is an ambitious but rewarding project for any backyard flock owner. The effort you put in will pay off in healthy, safe, and happy chickens for years to come. Just be sure to properly plan the design, use sturdy construction principles, and don’t skimp on fortifications against predators and the elements. Your chickens will thank you!