subject: Why Build a Chicken Run? [print this page] Why Build a Chicken Run? Why Build a Chicken Run?
Why not just let your chickens run wild and fend for themselves? Let them roam where they please, lay eggs in their own hiding places and roost in trees of their own choosing.
There are three reasons why you should build a Chicken Run:
To protect your chickens from predators
Provide a safe place for roosting and laying; and
To protect your garden
Keeping chickens in your backyard can be very rewarding, particularly if they produce fresh eggs for the household. Not only this, they can provide a rich educational experience for children who can also learn about the responsibilities of feeding animals each day and keeping them healthy. To do this you will want to protect your chickens from predators that may live in your environment.
Chickens runs and coops provide the protection chickens need against pests such as hawks, foxes, dogs and even cars whilst still giving them sufficient space to run around and forage during the day and be protected at night whilst they roost.
Chickens like to feel safe at night and tend to sleep together perched on a roost a few inches off the ground. A Chicken Coop gives them this protection from night time pests such as foxes, weasels and possums. Additionally, if they are laying hens, it gives them the privacy they need to lay their eggs as hens can be quite secretive when laying.
During the day, chickens like to scratch around in the soil which can be extremely damaging if you have just planted seedlings or little plants. You should let your garden grow to a good size before you let chickens into your garden. Even then you should keep an eye on them as you may see your entire garden disappear before your eyes if left alone!
Chickens can be quite complementary to gardens as they enjoy delicacies such as slugs and worms, provided they are managed carefully.
There are many different poultry coop plans around that will help you build a chicken coop which will provide your chickens protection from predators, but also give you the flexibility to protect your garden as well.
Mobile Chicken Coops and Runs have the added advantage of being able to move the run around your garden so that your chickens get the benefit of fresh vegetation and your garden gets the benefit of pest removal and time to recover.
Regardless of the type of Chicken Coop you build or buy, do keep in mind the type of environment and predators you have to ensure you protect your chickens sufficiently.
