Single hen

[Guest]

OK I've promised that I will build a run - it has to be done before 26th August when Mum and I go on our holidays. I'm not really up on this kinda thing but I have a 15 year old boy who will come and help who is more handy than me but I have a feeling I may still end up doing a large amount of it on my own as we have holidays clashing and stuff.

 

I've looked at the runs in the FAQ and I'm thinking something like Kates. There is a fence at the back that I would like to build off off and a shed covering 3/4 of one side of the area. My questions are as follows

 

• What size wood would be best?
  Does it need to be treated in any way?
  how to I attach it to the ground?
  Can I just nail the bits together?
  What sort of mesh do I use?
  Is it harder to build a door?

 

Thanks all in advance for answering my dumb questions.

[theherd123]

 

• What size wood would be best? We used 4x4 inch to make the structure stable and able to take anything the weather could throw at it.
  Does it need to be treated in any way? We used talanised timber
  how to I attach it to the ground? We dug in the posts and then cemented them in
  Can I just nail the bits together? Yes, we used screws too.
  What sort of mesh do I use? We used weldmesh as foxes can get through chickenwire
  Is it harder to build a door? No, we measured the space we wanted for the door and built a frame to fit then strengthened it by adding a crossbar in the middle and put in side supports at angles.

 

Thanks all in advance for answering my dumb questions.

 

Hope that helps!

[Guest]

Thanks for the help! I've freecycled a couple of fence posts today and determined to bring this in as cheaply as possible, I know I'll have to buy the wire mesh but I've seen some on Ebay.....

[Snowy]

As Emma said talanised wood, or you can buy pressure treated timber - it's a darker colour than the plain pine timber.

 

We are about to begin building our run - I was going to get the timber and mesh from Wickes. They sell the mesh with a 13mm x 25mm hole for 19.99 a roll, 3m x 0.9m. They also do nice 4 x 4 pressure treated fence posts, 1.8m, for 8.99, for the main uprights. The rest of the wood is being obtained from used pallets from OHs work!

[Guest]

I was going to buy my mesh on Ebay - it seems to be cheap http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130139412573.

 

I was also going to use some other timber, such as pallet wood and an old tea chest which I have laying around as I've been collected all sorts of off cuts of wood to use in my wood burner this winter.

[theherd123]

The weld mesh looks like a good price!

[Cinnamon]

Have a look at my photos, link below, where there are stage by stage piccys of our run being built.

I hope it provides inspiration

[Guest]

Thanks all. Having had a look at everyones wonderful runs I've got a plan in my head. I have a large fence post which I wll put in the front left corner and a smaller one in the raised area 2/3 way back on that side. Those combined with the fence and the shed will give me the strenth I need to withstand the elements.

 

I will put struts between using 2x2 and a baton along the fence and the side of the shed. I can use this to build the door too. I've already started clearing the area - I will keep the front parallel with the front of the shed rather than coming all the way to the path. I'm keeping the other edge along the bed by the Torquay palms as this is already built as a bed and has a wooden edge to build up to.

 

Goodness only knows how long this will take me. I'm off to order the mesh wire.

 

I couldn't post a picture but its on yesterdays blog entry

[Snowy]

Try on freecycle first for any wood or mesh you need. I'm going to collect some mesh on Friday for mine! (Saved a few pennies there!)

[Guest]

I've got the main posts but no other replies for wood or mesh. I've just odered the mesh off Ebay and I;ll go to wickes for the smaller timber.

 

I guess I have to go out there tomorrow and measure it up to try and get it right. To be honest I didn't need the work or the expense this month but mother is fretting that they will be shut in a tiny run for a week whilst we are away - pet sitter will let them out for a couple of hours each day but they are used to a whole day's freeranging.