Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 As I posted before we (I) have decided we need a walk in run. I've had a look at other posts and had a look on ebay and found this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6ft-x-3ft-Mesh-Bird-Aviary-Cage-Cat-Run-Chipmunks_W0QQitemZ170194423321QQihZ007QQcategoryZ46289QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem can you give me your opinions. I would go for 6ft x 12ft or maybe 6ft x 15ft. How does this sound for 3 ex batts and 4 bantams? Bare in mind that they won't be freeranging anymore (well not very often) as the OH is really cheesed off with the state of the grass especially with 2 LOs that will be playing on it in summer because it's like a poo mountain and he's tried to scoop the poop but it just isn't that easy with chicken poop. Any other suggestions would be good. Individual panels would be especially good. Thanks Shirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hi I recently got my OH to build me a new run but I did look into buying a ready made one. These people sell separate panels: http://www.chicken-house.co.uk/runpanels.htm This one looked really good but you would need to do something to the end where the coop would go: http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/acatalog/Runs_For_Maggie_s_Dozen_Henhouse.html These look good but a bit pricey?? http://www.forshamcottagearks.com/chicken-runs/quicksafe-poultry-house.htm Julia xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I wonder if it is a bit narrow Shirl...unless you intend to widen it with the extra panels. I'm going for one of **these**. I like the additional roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 My only concern is that the weldmesh is only 19 gauge. Having had a fox trying to chew on my 16 gauge weldmesh (unsuccessfully, thankfully), I would suggest that 19 gauge is just not fox-proof enough. Sorry if that sounds scary, but better safe than sorry where the welfare of your girls is concerned, would be the best option. It's more expensive, but worth it for the peace of mind IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I find a good mow keeps the poo down - it was getting a bit much over winter but I got a first mow in yesterday! (and I managed to seriously bruise my finger in a mower related incident!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I've found a weld mesh site and it says 19 gauge is suitable for the protection of birds and rabbits. Does any one have their run made from 19 gauge? From what I can see most chicken run manufacturers use 19 gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I find a good mow keeps the poo down - it was getting a bit much over winter but I got a first mow in yesterday! (and I managed to seriously bruise my finger in a mower related incident!) Maybe I'll suggest a good mow instead it'll be a lot cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 ours is 6 feet wide by 12 feet in length and i have four chickens. I would possibly add 1 or 2 more and feel comfortable, but with any more chooks I would want a bigger run, especially if they arent free ranging much, im lucky cos mine are our all the time. We bought premade aviary mesh panels from the local garden centre (they werent cheap though ) but we and the chickens are thrilled with the run - so much cleaner and drier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I wonder if it is a bit narrow Shirl...unless you intend to widen it with the extra panels. I'm going for one of **these**. I like the additional roof. Sorry meant to ask why you think it's too narrow. I'd have thought as long as they have room to have a bit of a run if need be then that's OK. It's wider than the Cube and Eglu runs Shirl (getting more by the minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 TBH Shirl I also think its quite narrow. It looks very well made but if you look at it, your'e paying for a lot of "height" but not enough width (I mean the one in the photo) if you get what I mean. I would go for a wider run if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 can you give me your opinions. I would go for 6ft x 12ft or maybe 6ft x 15ft. How does this sound for 3 ex batts and 4 bantams? It sounds fine to me. A lot of people have similar or a few more hens in that amount of space. Most ready made runs seem to be the 19g so I wouldn't worry tooo much about that unless you're really prone to foz attacks. It seems a price too I've marked them as its not much more than we would pay to make one ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 TBH Shirl I also think its quite narrow. It looks very well made but if you look at it, your'e paying for a lot of "height" but not enough width (I mean the one in the photo) if you get what I mean. I would go for a wider run if you can. We need the height the OH is 6ft 3, although he doesn't do much with the chickens he does usually shut the door at night (when it's really cold ). We could arrange the panels however we like but I thought long and thin would make the catching of any unwilling chooks easier and would encroach on the garden less. The only downside I could see is that one chicken could guard one end of the run easier if she wished because another would find it harder to get past in a narrow space. If I had food and drink at both ends then that shouldn't be an issue Or would it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanut12 Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I'm 6'5" and our run is just under 6' high. I work a lot with the chickens and do not find it a problem as I am pretty much always bending down to them or sweeping/ raking/ scooping etc so more height was not needed. I can't help thinking you'd get more for your money if you built it yourself. Our school have just constructed a new house and coop for £240. (see it in the gallery - http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=24131 I do understand that not everyone has the time/skills to build their own but it is VERY satisfying Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I see from one of your other posts you were considering the 6 foot wide option - this would be perfect , I thought you were going for the 3 foot option. Of course it is entirely up to you and how it suits you/your garden. would you put the eglu in the run? or on the outside? We can just about get our eglus out of the run door to clean them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 We've got a cube which would go inside. This means it would have to be cleaned in the run. The smaller bits could be taken out to be cleaned though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I'm 6'5" and our run is just under 6' high. I work a lot with the chickens and do not find it a problem as I am pretty much always bending down to them or sweeping/ raking/ scooping etc so more height was not needed. I can't help thinking you'd get more for your money if you built it yourself. Our school have just constructed a new house and coop for £240. (see it in the gallery - http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=24131 I do understand that not everyone has the time/skills to build their own but it is VERY satisfying Good luck To be honest it would take the OH ages to build it himself because it would take him half a day to find all the tools. Just changing a plug would take an hour, I swear he just likes to make a meal of it . When he does things he is actually pretty good. We're going away in a month and I'd like to have it in place before we go because the cube run is way too small for my little flock to be shut in all day. At the moment they free range all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I can't help thinking you'd get more for your money if you built it yourself. Our school have just constructed a new house and coop for £240. (see it in the gallery - http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=24131 It would actually be cheaper! and if its less hassle..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Ok whilst I'm on the subject any suggestions for any shrubs etc to put in. Obviously I don't want anything that will take up loads of room but which will give shade but not be eaten too much. How about Fennel, I've got loads of the stuff ? Maybe something a bit bushier as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Lavender looks lovely and they are supposed not to eat it very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 Lavender is a lovely idea. I haven't got any in my garden yet but I did mean to get some so it'll be one for the chooks and one for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
