jnb Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Any suggestions? I was planning on making 2m x 1.8m panels with 2x1 timber and inch square mesh and then linking the panels together with a simple eye hoox arrangement. All of which should give me a flexible arrangment but would be harder to roof. Might it be necessary to roof the run? the hens don't seem to be that inclined to getting very high. Any other suggestions (other than one panel with a door in it, I've figure that one out already) Main plan here is to be able to give the hens a larger area when for whatever reason we don't want to move the house and small run too often and want to contain them (e.g. neighbours feeding them over holidays, locking them in while I reseed areas etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 If you can get mesh 1 inch by 1/2 inch , that would be better. One inch mesh will alow certain predators to get through. A roof is best if you can manage it, a dry run is so much nicer than a wet , stinky, mudbath. I like the idea of your hooks and eyes, but as you say, would it be stable enough to support a roof ? My WIR is made up of panels screwed together top and bottom. In theory I can unscrew them and dismantle it easily- wouln't want to try it though Just a tip for the door. If you can make a 2 section, stable type door, with the lower half being low enough to step over, it makes life much easier as you can get into the run without the chooks making a break for freedom. ( well, mine try to fly out as I'm stepping in and end up bouncing off me, but we won't mention that ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 Might it be necessary to roof the run? the hens don't seem to be that inclined to getting very high. ) I would say that depends whether you have a fox problem or not....if you want complete security for your girls you will want a roof on the run.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 Might it be necessary to roof the run? the hens don't seem to be that inclined to getting very high. ) I would say that depends whether you have a fox problem or not....if you want complete security for your girls you will want a roof on the run.. Good advice. Rather than build it to "keep the girls in", build it like Fort Knox to keep the hungry foxes out . It puts a whole new perspective on it! So definitely have a meshed roof with some form of weather protection over it (tarpaulin, plastic PVC or Onduline - not felt though, as that harbours red mite).. Agreed too with smaller weldmesh - we've got 1" x 0.5". It needs to be small enough so mice/rats can't get in and a fox can get its jaw in to start chewing. Pesky critters Once your girls are settled in, they might like some perches and shelves halfway up to preen on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnb Posted June 15, 2010 Author Share Posted June 15, 2010 Agreed too with smaller weldmesh - we've got 1" x 0.5". It needs to be small enough so mice/rats can't get in and a fox can get its jaw in to start chewing. I would assume that unless you can put it on an absolutely flat base then mice and rats will get underneath the panels rather than through the holes in the mesh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 1 x 1 mesh is fine, it will keep most things out If you keep on top of any mice or rat problem you will be fine Perhaps make a roof that slots on and lifts off? it would be heavy but would give you the flexibility you are after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Are you looking to make a run you can dismantle ... what about using loose pin hinges? - they work out at just under 40p each. You'd just make up the panels and then screw these on, then if you want to dismantle the run you can just take the pin out the middle of the hinge Once all the sides are screwed together there wouldn't be much give so the hinges shouldn't bend. We make theatre scenery and because the sets are transported around on tours, they use these on everything so they can be taken apart + put back up easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted June 17, 2010 Share Posted June 17, 2010 Are these mounts from Screwfix any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR666 Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 We are planning a WIR and have been looking at other peoples plans for inspiration, I am thinking of adding a solid roof with something like Onduline, do I need to mesh beneath this or is the onduline sufficient to keep out predators Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
