Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[err_rachael]

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

[helenmb]

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.

[Barkisland]

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

[Happy chickens!]

Wow, Helen - does he give lessons?!

 

For something completely different, look at Cinnammon's set up, it's pretty as well as practical!

[Egluntyne]

Wow Barkisland, that is a beauty!

[rabbitfluff]

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?

[mccroft]

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

[Tweety]

Congratulations to Mr Barkisland - that is a fantastic run. Lucky hens!

[helenmb]

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.

[helenmb]

Wow, Helen - does he give lessons?!

I'm sure he'd be happy to show anyone his handywork - if you get my drift .

[Cinnamon]

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

 

[Redwing]

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.

[catherinej]

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!