Smart Door battery consumption.

[valleyboy74]

I visited friends recently who had a Cube and a fantastic homemade run and I quite like the idea of keeping a few myself, but probably an Eglu Classic.

 

I have a few questions about building a run that will probably be similar to the 6 x 6 x 12ft Avieries4u but a little taller so I don't have to duck :

 

 

1. Should it be built on a solid base? is paving slabs on sand OK or does it need a concrete hard standing?

2. What size wood? 2 x 2in?

3. Any idea on cost including a roof? I have no idea and just wanted a rough figure so I can budget.

 

Thanks

valleyboy74

[chickenlegs]

Hi, I think this question falls into the "how long is a piece of string" catergory, from my own experience it is essential to have a roof, it makes it easier to keep clean and is a more pleasant environment for the chickens, my WIR stands on slabs around the edge and mud covered with woodchip in the centre, this means some form of kick boards around the bottom edges are needed to keep woodchips in the run. We used 2 x 1 for the panels covered with weld mesh, with 4 2 x 2 corner posts, will your classic go on the inside or attached on the outside. Lots of things to be taken into account, for inspiration check out the "We are building a WIR" thread, loads of ideas in there. Theresa

P.S. If it can be done for under £200 I'd be impressed

[Aunty e]

I'd probably just buy one of the cheaper ones, and add on anything you feel it's missing, like kickboards, a bit of extra height (possibly through adding kickboards to the bottom of each section) or a corrugated plastic roof. We got ours second hand, and it cost £250 for a 6" by 9" by 12" run, with an onduline roof. I then put it on a base of slabs, with bare earth in the middle, the slabs were the cheapest I could find new, and they probably cost £50 just on their own. There are quite a lot of cheaper runs about that the aviaries4u ones.

[Space Chick]

Mine is on a concrete hardstanding. I have an 18 x 6 x 6 aviaries for you run. Best purchase I ever made

[Plum]

Only need basic skills to copy and build a run. Mine was bought as panels which I could have made. 2x2 wood all over and shiplap for the kickboards. The mesh is 16g and 1inch I think. Panels screwed together and corrugated plastic roof.

 

You would need 12 panels approx 6x 3 for your size run. Why not draw up one panel then price up. The weldmesh from Hills of Devon has been recommended here as being best value.

 

Good luck it's good fun planning it.