How Do You Construct Safe And Secure Chicken Runs?
Chickens need a good sized enclosure to allow them to move around, peck at the ground and feed off the bugs and worms that they find. These chicken runs, or pens, are usually enclosed with a high chicken wire fence or other tall face to discourage predators. Generally, they are attached to the coop to allow the chickens to come and go as they wish.
For healthy eggs, chickens need good doses of fresh air and sunshine on a regular basis. It is not healthy to keep them locked up inside all the time. The enclosure will allow your flock to roam freely, getting their daily dose of sunshine and plenty of exercise. Built correctly, the pen will give the chickens free-range but keep predators away. It is the best way to keep them happy and healthy.
They’ll use their pen for other points, too. Chickens don’t bathe in water, they bathe in dirt, so they require lots of it. Any roosters you’ve are going to require room to strut their stuff or do battle having a potential rival to impress the ladies.
An additional factor is the kind of chicken you plan on raising. Smaller chickens are much better able to fly up and more than the fence and will require a roof more than their heads. Just chicken wire or bird netting will do fine. Heavier birds are less likely to wind up across the street and may just require a easy pen of wooden posts and wire sides.
Do not run afoul from the law! If you’re out within the country, then it’s most likely just fine to construct a place for your chickens and increase them. In towns, villages and cities, nevertheless, the law might not be on your side. The size of your flock will most likely be regulated and it may even be illegal for you personally to have any hens inside your backyard at all. Knowledge is power: check out your local laws.
Like all real estate, good chicken pen are all about location, location, location. You will need enough room to fit both coop and pen. If you allow your chickens free access to both places, they will even put themselves down when darkness falls.
Watch out for predators! They are eager to taste the succulent meat of your hand-raised chickens. All towns have stray cats and in the country, you also have to worry about foxes, raccoons and even large birds. Do not build your pen in an area known to have a lot of predators.
You’re now ready to construct secure, secure chicken runs. By providing an adequate outdoor environment, you’re certain to increase wholesome, pleased birds.
Filed under Farm Ranch by on Jul 15th, 2010.
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