[lamina]

Hi,
We are getting 4 Welsummer pullets this summer (unfortunately delayed due to a disaster at the hatchers) and I wanted the run to fit in to our garden and not be a rectangular wire mesh aviary.  I had thought about putting it at the end of our garden but have decided on having it closer to the house so that the new members of our family can be seen and appreciated, both by us egg eaters and our two dogs
The location is a 40 square metre (about) approximately circular area with shrubs (camelia, fejoia, kolwitzia amabilis, hibiscus, buddleia and honeysuckle), a 30 foot tall sequioa (which I have grown from seed), various perennials and grass (about 10 square metres).  I have attached a photo of the construction to date.

There is a roughly centrally placed pole (cut from a handy tree at the top of our garden) 11 feet tall cemented two feet into the ground.  From this will come about a dozen 1" x 2" treated timber struts down to 2' tall posts.  2mm wire will be stretched at 3" intervals between the struts and held in place by further 1mm wires coming down from the central pole - like a spiders web. The top of the pole will be capped by a copper 'hat'.  There will be nothing that a fox can climb on.  On the left hand side is a stone pathway and the rear is a low brick wall - so no digging by foxes there. The RHS and the front will have 18" of wire mesh just under the grass.  The whole enclosure will have 24" high welded mesh.  The high posts on the right are for a door, which will be split to allow easy exit for Annabelle and friends and at full height enabling me to get in and do some titivation and cleaning.

The coop will be under the pergola with the nest box protruding out towards the path.  Since I have plenty of time (chickens due mid July) I will be able to sort out the construction of an automatic door opener, winter lighting and web cam.  I am also thinking about putting an RFI tag on each chicken so that they will automatically update their Twitter account every time they enter the nest box.

I intend to test out the fox proofness of my construction with some dog food - before I get the chickens 

Any comments would be very much appreciated - this is my first attempt at keeping chickens and all our neighbours are keen on seeing how I get on.

Richard

 

[Aunt Sally]

Sounds brilliant and what a good idea to bait it with dog food before getting the hens rather than finding out too late that the fox can get in !

I have only one suggestion to make.  I would make the weld mesh walls 3 ft high rather than 2 ft.  Foxes can stretch up to 3 ft easily.

[cathangirl]

Hello Richard,
That looks cosy....what my Grandchildren would call a real den.
Weld mesh ought to be buried down into the ground too, as mice, rats and foxes dig, too.
Best wishes,
cathangirl

[rcandy2001]

that looks like a nice wilderness for your chooks. They should be very happy as chickens were originally jungle dwelling creatures i believe.

[poultrygeist]

I think we need more photos Richard.

You realise, they won't have time to lay any eggs due to playing in and around the trees! 

Nice work. Keep at it and keep posting updates. I'm intrigued to see how it progresses. I remember your initial post and am still not entirely sure how it will look.

Rob

[lamina]

Thanks Aunt Sally - outer wall now increased to 900mm - and since thats a stock width then it makes a lot of sense .

Rob, I am entirely unsure of how it will look at the end - if it looks terrible I shall just charge an entrance fee and use the funds to make a 'normal' run 
The side/rear view of the run is attached (posts/string were temporary to hold pole in place) and I will post updates as I get going.

I figured that chickens would like a semi-wooded area - but if they just mess about enjoying themselves then they will be following in the footsteps of our 4 'children'  :blink:

Richard

[Foxy]

I think it will be lovely, chooks do like a bit of cover, makes them feel safe!