I want a larger enclosed run for my chooks. There are reminants of the original one here on the farm but we cannot occupy the whole space. We have talked about rebuilding part of it but its a huge job and not something I can do on my own due to the fact that we will be using concrete posts that are just lying around. I cannot move these on my own nor do I have the knowledge on how to stand them up correctly and securely.
We COULD buy new ego treated pine posts but that seems a waste of money when we have materials here that can be used.
The problem is, is this will take quite literally MONTHS to complete. Adding timber to the posts I can do, adding the mesh to the posts, I can do, roof I can do ... its just the posts and my DH is happy to help but his time is very limited.
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I COULD build a semi temp chook run, all it is, is a box with wire really but it will cost a few hundred and the materials probably cannot be re used. I could whip this up over a few days though. I want it to be 2.5m W x 3m or 4m L x 2mH. Ideally I want to be able to stand in it and move around.
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Temp - I could buy 2 more (making 5 in total) premade runs to give the girls more space but I still have the problem of not being high enough for me to get in with them properly.
If I was to buy more chooks further down the line this would also double as a quarantine place.
I REALLY need some advice here. The girls will be let out through the afternoon but I want them to have a large enough space to occupy when they are not out.
How much room do they have now? Have you seen the site backyard poultry? Loads of info on space per chook. My girls don't have heaps of space but we let them out daily so I don't think it's too bad.
As for the concrete posts, is there anyone else that can help you? The easiest thing to do is dig a post hole, stick it in and backfill with concrete. Just the instant bag stuff, drop the powder in the hole, add water and mix. Use a level to make sure it's vertical. The hardest bit is lifting the posts, and digging the holes. but if someone could help you, you'd be able to do it.
Would you be able to dig the post holes and get everything ready and just get dh to help put the posts in?
Yep I could do the holes myself I plan on doing that anyway Great idea about the concrete I will chat to DH about that. At the moment the run (on its own) is 198cm long x 98cm and 106 tall at the roof point https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...bums/chickens/ you can see it here, I have already ordered a 3rd which will extend this out 100x98 more.
If I get 2 more temp ones I will add them onto a side to make it a wee bit wider. OR I could just make it approx 5m long???
I have seen that website but I struggle with it a bit as I can't seem to navigate around it well, though admittedly I am a bit ditzy with stuff like that.
I think I feel bad because I know the chooks will only have a few hours out. Not because I don't want them out more but because there are other people living here on the farm and they have their dogs off most of the day. And believe me all hell would break loose if my chooks got eaten by one of their mutts. They only let their chooks out from 4pm onwards which is ok now but when DLS ends it will be almost dark by then.
So much to think about my head is going to explode LOL
Star pickets and a roll of 1.2 mt high chicken wire.
The star pickets will cost about $1.50 each and the wire $70 odd bucks. The wire can be reused. (50mtr roll)
Bird netting from bunnings, dirt cheap (5x5mtrs about $5-10)over the top of the pen, although if they are grown birds,I would not bother. Backyard Poultry by Andy Vardy You will see a bunch of headings at the top of the main page, go to the top right and click on info centre. Thats the forum.
Dont overthink it hon, they are chooks, food, water ,a spot in the corner of the shed with a perch to roost on. Thats all they need.
So long as a dog or fox cant get at them at night and you feed them a half decent food,they will be fine. Chooks are really pretty tough.
Shelley are the star pickets just the metal posts? I would never have thought of that. Would be moveable too We have a post rammer too AND so small wire gates ..... might pay the local Mitre 10 a visit
Yeah livin is right, they are pretty hardy. Your palace seems lovely for 5 chooks, especially if they are allowed out for a while each day. Pickets and wire would be a good day time solution to keep the dogs away. And yep pretty easy to move if you don't put them in too far or have a picket puller.
i was going to suggest star pickets and wire too! a nice temporary measure and easy to move when needed.
friends we visited last week have similar - they actually move their temporary run over the vegie patches at the end of the season to allow the chooks to eat down the waste, add nitrogen through their poop, and turn it all over for them - in her words "the ultimate in lazy gardening!
DH just suggested we use and convert the old horse crate. It measures 1.95H x 2.54W and 4.55L.
Currently its up on stilts where its sat for god knows how long but Dh and FIL have talked about shifting it because of the little ones as the timber its resting on is starting to weather and rot.
It has SO much potential, will need work but it will be a perfect space for my current birds and big enough for a few more further down the track. I can even get another coop in there if need be OR build something myself Its position will be permanent but it has the potential to be fully contained ....... hmmmmm now to start dreaming
Keep everything crossed that FIL says yes, He should because he'd be happy its being put to use.
OOoo I hope he says yes!
I love your current chook run, it looks so groovy!
We had five chooks, they lived in something similar to the one you have now (but not as fancy), but I would let them out in the morning, and put them back in, in the arvo. Our house is fenced, so I wasn't concerned about them escaping or a dog eating them.
Now we have two chooks (I found 5 too hard to handle with their digging) and I have a smallish cage, but again, they are let out in morning and night.
My cousin uses an old horse float too! Works wonderful! However if it were me, i'd still let them out. But she has a similar problem to you, lives on a farm, lots of dogs etc.
I am funny about animals in cages, I really don't like it. I HATE that our dogs have to be tethered and only let off for a good run for 3 hours a day but they have LOOOONG leads so can still move around heaps.
Its for this reason that I want a large enclosed space for them, at least they can have a good stretch and run around before being let out and IF by some odd chance that they do not get let out for a day for whatever reason then its not to bad because they still have room ... does that make sense?
I guess in a way I am forward planning a little for when I am having another baby and am in hospital or sleep deprived and plain old forget
Totally understand where you're coming from. I'm the same!
When our chooks were little, one got through the back neighbours fence and their dog ate it But even then I still didn't have the heart to keep them locked up, instead I got DH to change the fence, haha.
I've got friends with 5 chooks and they keep them in their little fenced cage, very very rarely let them out. Poor little things
Nae - do you need help with the posts? All we need is to dig the holes, stand the posts in there, pour in quick set concrete & water, we should be able to bodgy up some brackets to hold them in place while we're waiting for the concrete to set.
PM me if you want my mobile, I'd love a day at the farm getting my hands dirty (and for a visit to you and your spunky little miss!)
Do I, Don't I ... dunno what to do
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We have a post rammer too 
Keep everything crossed that FIL says yes, He should because he'd be happy its being put to use.
But even then I still didn't have the heart to keep them locked up, instead I got DH to change the fence, haha.
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