err_rachael Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Hi! Have been seeing a lot of posts recently mentioning walk in runs. Have looked at a few websites like flytesoffancy but they all seem so expensive! How easy is it to build one yourself? I was thinking of trying to rope in my mum's boyfriend to do it.. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 We built ours quite easily, we decided to make it sectionally so that we can dismantle it when we move (so that made construction a bit more complicated but not impossible). We bought our slabs, gravel, wood and the clear pvc roofing from Wickes (and had it delivered as we couldn't get the length of wood into our car) and the Weldmesh online. Came in much cheaper than a ready made one but of course it takes a lot longer to put together so it all really comes down to time and how tight money is. Being married to a thifty Scot we went for the cheapest option plus he is very handy with his boys toys. Plus of course you can also make it to fit more easily any awkward spaces too. The only thing we regret is that we didn't make it sooner as the girls seem much happier in a bigger higher enclosure plus the don't get wet and its much lighter than covers over the eglu/cube runs too. There are some pics in my gallery link below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 My husband built ours. It's quite large and took him several weekends. He put his heart and soul into it - I think he enjoyed doing it. Ours was complicated by being sited on a steep slope. Hopefully yours would be simpler. There are lots of great pics and ideas on the chicken run inspiration thread. Here's ours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Wow, Helen - does he give lessons?! For something completely different, look at Cinnammon's set up, it's pretty as well as practical! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow Barkisland, that is a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitfluff Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I plan on building my own walk in run too, but since I'm a bit nesh I think it'll have to wait until spring now! Being (very) inept at such things though, could anyone give any tips on stuff like what thickness of wood is best for the panels, size of mesh, how best to attach the panels together (bolts? screws?), or anything else that might be useful for the build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccroft Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 http://www.hillsofdevon.co.uk/aviary-mesh.html Hills of Devon have a fantastic service and price for weldmesh/aviary mesh. I've just ordered a 30m roll (1/2 x 1/2) 36" width for £44.00 with free next day delivery They do loads of other sizes. Hope that helps someone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Congratulations to Mr Barkisland - that is a fantastic run. Lucky hens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 I plan on building my own walk in run too, but since I'm a bit nesh I think it'll have to wait until spring now! Being (very) inept at such things though, could anyone give any tips on stuff like what thickness of wood is best for the panels, size of mesh, how best to attach the panels together (bolts? screws?), or anything else that might be useful for the build? My DH is on his way back from Scotland as I write this so I'll get a debrief from him about exactly what he used plus I think he kept the receipts so can work our roughly how much it came to as well. Will post as soon as I can on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow, Helen - does he give lessons?! I'm sure he'd be happy to show anyone his handywork - if you get my drift . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow, Helen - does he give lessons?! For something completely different, look at Cinnammon's set up, it's pretty as well as practical! Thank you My Hubby puts his heart & soul into anything he does too, & ours is built on a brick foundation, so we have no problems with vermin burrowing in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 If you look under a recent topic called Walk in Runs (by Madman) in the Eglu and Cubes section I listed everything I have bought for building my run. in an ideal world I would have gone for 3x3 posts as upright but I am happy with everything else I have bought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catherinej Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Wow, what fantastic runs - my husband is going to start building ours on Saturday. I was hoping it was going to be done this weekend but judging by what other people have said I may be a tad optimistic! I hope our looks as good as everyone elses. I can't wait because as soon as it's done, I can get more chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
