Outside space is necessary to raise healthy, happy chickens. Good chicken runs allow the flock to peck around according to their natural instinct. Enclose them in strong chicken wire or a tall fence to keep predators away. Attach it directly to the chicken coop and the chickens will be able to get to it when they want.
Normal access to fresh air and sunshine are required for wholesome egg production. Don’t maintain your hens cooped up; permit them to range free of charge, obtaining a lot of sun and exercise and living an nearly normal life. At the same time, make certain the run is protected from predators. Maintain your chickens comfortable and secure and they’ll give you a lot of eggs.
They will use their pen for other things, as well. Chickens do not bathe in water, they bathe in dirt, so they need plenty of it. Any roosters you have are going to need room to strut their stuff or do battle with a potential rival to impress the ladies.
Your design might change depending on the breed of chicken you choose to raise. Heavier birds are not as likely to fly the coop, so they will not need as high a fence. Maybe just some wooden posts with wire stretched between them. Lighter birds, more capable of flight, will usually require a roof of some kind. You can stick with the chicken wire or switch to bird netting for this purpose.
Don’t run afoul of the law! If you are out in the country, then it is probably just fine to build a place for your chickens and raise them. In towns, villages and cities, however, the law may not be on your side. The size of your flock will probably be regulated and it might even be illegal for you to have any hens in your backyard at all. Knowledge is power: check out your local laws.
Like all real estate, great chicken pen are all about area, area, area. You’ll require sufficient room to fit both coop and pen. Should you permit your chickens free of charge access to both places, they’ll even put themselves down when darkness falls.
Chicken runs can be dangerous places if you live in an area with a lot of predators. Stray cats, wood rats, raccoons and foxes are all eager to make a meal out of your flock. If you live in the country, some form of roof is going to be necessary. Predators are all to ready to climb up and over even the highest fence.
There you go! That’s all of the info needed to construct chicken runs which are secure and comfortable. Your hen chickens will thrive on the sun, air and space offered by a secure outdoor pen.