[Des C]

Thanks to everyone for your advice last week regarding my non-perching orpingtons. I have changed over to a ladder system as advised and now the birds have loads of perching space. I have also decided to move the house and build a much bigger run. I had intended to free range the birds as much as possible but if I can give them a large enough pen, I could avoid the wrath of my beautiful wife (a keen gardener who is currently planning this year's vegetable and flower crops). Naturally. I will give as much space as possible (20' x 8'). Are there any features or details I should include at the outset, bearing in mind that I will have to work with the small 4' x 2'6" x4' coop?

Des C

[Aunt Sally]

I think a large pen is a great idea.  I like to think my two hens free range.  But in my small garden they might only have as much space as in your large pen  :!:  

[muntjac]

im with sally .. if you pen off an area inside the pen you can allow the grass in one side to come back , just use a wire gate affair that just drops into place somehow  

[Bradste]

It is a good idea to  bury the wire along the pen border at least 12" deep, and toe the fence outward about 6 inches to prevent predators from digging under the fence.