The Poultry Keeper

nell · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dover, Kent

Hi, having had my 6 chooks housed in 2 separate arks (Boughton 902a) for three weeks now I have come to the conclusion their run area is too small. I have to leave them in the ark all day as I work and let them run around the garden only when I can supervise them at the weekend. We have a lot of foxes here.

So, I want to build them a fenced compound approximately 30 ft x 10 ft. This would include my raspberry patch (we can share!) and should ideally have a mesh roof as well. The problem is I am a DIY novice although I am willing. I have no idea how to build a sturdy structure or indeed know what materials I would need.

I would be grateful for any advice. By the way, the area is on a slight slope if that matters.

thank you, Confused

Nell.

Barny_Velder · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 164 Location: North Wales Coast

2x1 tanalised baton will do it. Build it in panels then screw together you can always add or decrease panels when you require.
Brace the corners and it should all stay square.
30 foot is a big structure though...so you could upscale the size of the timber but it would seriously impact on cost, but if you have the money for Forsham prices that shouldn't be a problem:)
Also question whther it needs to be 10 feet high, the birds won't utilise that space much.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

We cemented angle irons 2 ft into the ground and then used chainlink for the fencing. The angle irons were painted with red oxide, and then green paint. To stop the fox burying underneath, we ran 1/4 inch mesh 2 foot along the ground and 2 ft up the side.

It all looks really tidy and is permanent and maintenance free.

when I first kept poultry we knocked stakes into the ground and bolted 3x2 batons to them and then attached chicken wire. All my pens are 6ft high.

Agood tip is to put paving slabs under the gate to stop the fox burying under Very Happy

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 770 Location: St. Asaph

Hi don't know how much you've got to spend but my run is made out of builders HARRIS fencing. ( i was lucky to get damaged ones free, mesh is bent from use)

I've only got a 12' square run as my girls free range but it was so easy (well by OH and mate) to do. They also put one on top ( to stop the cat jumping in - I was worried he would and panic the girls when I first had them and they were just in the run ) and i've been told to meet DEFRA if god forbid there is avian flu around here all i'd have to do is put green hedging net on top.

There are scaffolding boards along the base on the inside to keep the sharp sand in and paving slabs on the outside to dissuade old foxy / and badger from getting a free meal.

Should we move it can all be taken with us!!!!!!!!!!

nell · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dover, Kent

Thanks to both of you for the ideas, especially the paving slabs under the gate. I was wondering what to do about that.

I am on a tight budget (Iwas lucky enough to be given the arks!) so looking for the cheapest possible solution. I am now thinking of knocking agricultural poles into the ground to 6ft and then wrapping weldmesh around this and outwards at the bottom as a skirt. Will I need to reinforce the corner poles with something to stop the whole structure from caving in on itself or should the weldmesh keep it all firm?

Oh, and will 6ft be a sufficient fox deterrent?

When I said I was a beginner to this construction malarky I really meant it!

Love, light & peace, Nell Laughing

Welsh Duck · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

I would reinforce the corners myself.... I have learnt from experience that it is better to Embarassed

My pens are 6ft and nothing has ever been over the top (touch wood)
but I have heard of many cases where a fox has. A overhang is a good idea to stop anything going over. Some people run an electric strand around the top, but I'm not in favour of that. And I don't think you are allowed to if you are near the general public

Tony Sirett · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

dont forget they can dig! you need to sink your fence down 2 foot or so as well,

Welsh Duck · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject:

Or if you are lazy like me, just lay it two foot out along the ground and peg it down, the fox can't dig through the wire. The grass grows through and you would never know it was there.

nell · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dover, Kent

Thank you. I had considered putting paving slabs all around the enclosure on top of the wire 'skirt'. However, I like your idea better Welsh Duck because 1) it would be easier and 2) it would make more of the garden useable. All I need now is a break in the weather; it's sleeting at the moment and the chooks are all huddled in their roost still. I will send pics when I have made some progress.

Love, light & peace, Nell toothy2

greentree · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 160 Location: Wicklow - Ireland

Here's my chicken area built from 12ft x 6ft builders panels:

I have moved it 3 times since last June. I make a trench about 6 inches deep and set the panels into it. I then bind the panels together with strong tie wraps.

The odd time a chicken has escaped by flying over it but I have that sorted now by keeping the house right in the middle.

No fox has got into it since I built it (touchwood).

Mick

nell · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dover, Kent

wow. that looks good...and easy. are the panels expensive? I have to be honest I am beginning to chicken out of the whole venture. My ground is sloping and undulating at the moment and I am worried i will end up spending several hundred pound for timber stakes and weldmesh and end up with something ricketty and unsecure. I am almost toying with building smaller chicken runs to attach to the arks. If they weren't such a strange rhombus shape I would have done this by now. ohhhh!!!! I wish I had that 'devil may care' diy attitude that other people seem to have!

Nell x

greentree · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 160 Location: Wicklow - Ireland

Dopey · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:41 am Post subject:

Nell just have a go, what are you going to lose? i built mine from old bit a found, and 2 good free pallets, have a look http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=12638 all you need to do is start off with the corners, where you need to put it on a slope, use an electric drill and some 1 1/2 inch screws, start with 2 of the posts, put them on the out side of the pallet and screw them in, the the other 2 posts do the same, making sure the pallet is nice and level (just use your eyes, and there you go you have the bace already and 4 legs for it to stand on, have a look at mine im no chippy and it was put together in just a few days with a few hours here and there, go on have a bash at it, i bet you enjoy it

nell · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dover, Kent

Thank you so much for all your advice and kind words - I really do feel more confident now. I know I am being a complete wuss! I really like your construction Dopey - I can get pallets for free. You never know I might get really ambitious and build another coop for a couple of Brahmas I fancy getting.

This is such a friendly forum wav

Love, light & peace Nell

Barny_Velder · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 164 Location: North Wales Coast

The fencing is called Herras or Heras or Herass or herrass fencing people spell it allsorts of ways, it pops up on eBay all the time. It's not easy on the eye but it is very effective.