Any experience of galvanised steel chicken runs

[tlck9]

HI there

I've seen these in the poultry mags and I wondered if anyone has experience of them
Poultry Runs - A WebsiteBuilder Website

I've got a 9m run but its static and I thought it would be good to a least give them a 4m run that I can move every 3 months, I've also only got 6 chucks left but I wasn't sure about moving them down from a 9m to a 4m

even though at the moment usable space inside the 9m is less as there are a couple of coops in which won't be there with the new one

[chris]

Quite pricey, but looks nice I guess.

Wouldn't some Heras panels and some fox-proofing measures be a cheaper option?

[tlck9]

I have heras ones at the moment and its a nightmare to keep the run dry, we have a high water table and lots of migrating starlings, so trying to keep a netting and or covering over has been difficult.

Was trying to get something I could move easily

[veggiechicken]

Looks a bit like a greenhouse frame, covered in netting to me. Try free cycle!!

[ratglass]

Hi

Yes I have the 4m by 4m version of this run since last september with 5 ex-batt girls in it. I also have the cover which is a godsend. Yes it is expensive but it is well made and will last a long time. However its not the easyest thing to put together (took my very good at DIY husband a month of weekends to complete). It is also pretty impossible to move once sited, you could but it would take 6 people to stop it from warping. I got it so they will be safe whilst I am at work and then they roam the garden on evenings and weekends. They seem very happy in it (I have the house attached to the outside of the run for ease of moring cleaning)

Hope that helps

[tlck9]

Hi

Yes I have the 4m by 4m (I have the house attached to the outside of the run for ease of moring cleaning)

Hope that helps

Thanks yes this is very helpful, 1st hand experience ! when you say you have attached the house to the outside, was this easy, did you have to cut it, or is there scope to do this when setting up. I looked at this because of the "ease of moving" although hubby did say he was dubious about how easy it would be

I also like the fact that the roof was pitched so water could drain off, being on an allotment and with a high water table this was a good reason to consider it

[ratglass]

[QUOTE=tlck9;961615]Thanks yes this is very helpful, 1st hand experience ! when you say you have attached the house to the outside, was this easy, did you have to cut it, or is there scope to do this when setting up.

We just cut the wire on one side and attached the house to be flush with this and the ladder goes down from the house to the ground inside the run. We strengthened the wire around the door with some wooden off cuts. I should add I have a sliding door which opens inside the house and the house is a green frog designs loft. It means I can easily clean them out in the morning without them all being under my feet! Like I said we have only had it since Aug but it seems ok so far.

[Mikey]

I made our run which is 3m by 1.8m with roofing battens and mesh, whenever I want to move it I give my neighbour a shout and we do it together.

This would be like trying to move more than two of mine at the same time, I can see how that would be difficult. I guess its not the weight its finding the balance point and getting a good grip.

I also thought that sounded quite a lot, I think I paid less than £100 to build mine, and I have quite a lot of mesh left over. This is coming in quite handy as chooks have a habit of finding the weak points in any garden defense.

[Hen]

Hi,

Iv got one of these, I bought mine from eBay! I payed £345 delivered so made a pretty good saving from the store your looking at. It came with the cover and I find it to be very good.

There's a couple to choose from on there, I purchased the run with the steel door do avoid mite and messing on with staining..

Hope this helps

Good luck.