[Scott.peter94]

Hi guys,

I have mulled over the idea of getting some chickens for a while now and now have decided to do it!

That being said I am a bit clueless so I’m hoping for some advice.

I have an idea of making a walk in run out of scaffolding, the poles seem to be a relatively cheap the fittings can be picked up from eBay.
 
I’m just wondering if anyone’s had a go at this idea before?

And my second question (slightly off topic) how do automatic door closets work? Do you just keep an eye on when the girls normally roost and set it as such

Sorry for the long post everyone!

Thanks 

Scott

[New shoot]

I have not used an automatic door closer so can’t help you with that.

My big walk in run is made around a pergola which we already had in the garden. I have also seen them made around greenhouse and Polytunnel frames.  I can’t see why scaffolding would not work, but thought a few other ideas might be helpful.  If you are building a run, it is worth thinking about putting a solid roof on it.  Bird flu comes around every year or so and this goes a long way to protecting the chickens from wild bird droppings.  My run is roofed with clear plastic roofing sheets.  The chickens also like the weather protection this gives   

[Katrush]

Personally, I think scaffolding might be a bit overboard.
I've managed with the 2m long green angle irons from Mole Valley.
The automatic door closer has a dawn/dusk sensor and a timer function.
You can get an interior light that comes on at dusk to attract the birds but my chicks all go to bed on their own, especially after the first night when we simply used a torch to attract them into the coop.
Hope you get set up soon.
Ours are 11 weeks old and they're amazing!