Building a predator-proof chicken coop run

We purchased our chicken coop from Bombshell Chix in Loomis, CA. Check her out online at Bombshell-Chix-320955184696480.
We built our run on the cheap in less than 8 hours. This video is a high-level look at the steps we took to build our chicken run. For more details, please leave any questions in the comments below.
CaliCluckers is a channel devoted to our family and our chickens. We're a small homestead based in northern California. We're raising many different breeds of chickens, including Australorps, Wyandottes, Ameracaunas, Speckled Sussex, Rhode Island Reds, Cochins, Buff Orpingtons, and more. We're excited to take our audience through the unique experience of raising chickens in our suburban California neighborhood. Join us as we learn to live in harmony with our feathered friends!
Our goal is to post once a week. Keep an eye out for our next adventure!
Thanks for watching!

[@mit1346]

We found no problem with predators at night as they were locked away in the coop, but you need to cover the top of the run to make it totally predator proof. Also stops other birds from eating their food.

[@barbarabeckley8732]

Yeah

[@johnportwood6223]

One of the best I have ever seen I have been raising chickens for most of my life and I am 72 years old

[@mymoxiehouse5200]

I grew up raising chickens in Shawnnee. I use the smaller square material on all sides including the top with extra support to keep eagles and other birds of prey out including raccoons and cyots. Then I extended the material around the outside of the coop three feet down and folded it out and back filled with compacted dirt to keep snakes, foxes, and other four legged predators out. Then I plant grass seed in the the co-op because chickens like grubs.

[@JBeach77]

What a great run! Must have some happy chickens.

[@alanhillier1033]

What a great family thing to do,all the best from the UK🇬🇧

[@hazelhaver4320]

Nice to see chickens that are comfortable around all the people.

[@debkincaid2891]

Perfect! Thanks for sharing. ♥️

[@user-mx1ex9xr4l]

Love the way you handle chickens and well this whole video. Great cideo

[@lisiusabok4534]

Enjoy watching it! Thanks. Now it is my turn to build one.

[@littletailsfarm8446]

Thanks for sharing I’m gonna build one just like this to add to our shed turned coop

[@mikeroberts5125]

well when i put 4 chain link panels together to make it predator proof well guess what? 3 raccoons climbed right over the top without a problem and killed 4 chickens when i heard a commotion and went out there and they climbed out of there with ease... now its got a solid top

[@danahyatt5760]

What did you use for the top. I was surprised to see he just put that canvas tarp over the top. That’s no gonna be predator proof.

[@tonij9089]

I put chicken wire on top then metal roofing..I knew the little devils would be a problem eventually..

[@thearmoredgeorgian2736]

Could I use clear roofing?

[@danahyatt5760]

Great!

[@hardwareclothwww.sebossfen6011]

You are so lucky that you have a so big garden to DIY your chicken run.

[@michaelbottomley2520]

Nicely done

[@TigerLilyGzzTLRoars]

Very good. Thanks for sharing.

[@dmcg040utube]

Nice family project! I wish we could get away with just the canvas cover... we hawks here and the top has to be covered we are in GA. Love the video!

[@urbangardeningandchickenke1018]

Beautiful

[@syedhasan6548]

Very Nice 👍

[@edinburghwalks9137]

Happy chickens

[@richardgonzales5878]

Good Day!!! Watching from Philippines Mindanao, Nasipit agusan deL norte Near Butuan City Good JoB Sir, very nice da Chicken Cage,, and Good Luck

[@pitbullsmascaradogrescue8615]

I live in Cali as well but in the Mountains w large predators. I love the skirt you put in and have seen it in other videos to protect against predators that dig under. But I didn’t see where or how you attached it to the coop.

[@CaliCluckers]

Thank you for visiting! We ran extra wire below the bottom posts and out into the ground, then stapled/nailed to the bottom post. I hope that helps.

[@diannjohnson7675]

I agree with @mit1346 A hawk or eagle can easily rip through the sides of the top. I was surprise you did not take more better caution with the top I have seen foxes. even snakes can crawl to the top of the liitle chicken coop house.. why leave that open and just cover it with shade? other wise you did a good job. If you love your chickens cover the top and make it predator proof as well!!

[@wideawake8415]

The food and water needs to b n the center and shade. Close to the fence like that will attract predictors and their water will stagnate n the sun. Awesome job y'all !

[@hardnackfarms1736]

Did you cover the top? I am checking into different videos to get a good perspective. Thank you! Wendy🙏🏻🌎

[@jenniferwinsor7740]

Great. Just wondering about predators that climb.

[@yennyjen5742]

Lovely chicken run. I see you used 1/2 inch hardware cloth? How did it hold up? Have you have any problems with predators? Everyone reccomend 1/4 inch but that’s expensive

[@jws6682]

Thats an awesome setup I saw this going down the road and was wishing it was going to my house what city do you live in ?

[@CaliCluckers]

J&S Reptiles Thank you! Yes, we drove it from Newcastle down to west Roseville.

[@Duck4Evers]

Great video, thank you very much for posting. What is the size of the mesh on the wire you used?

[@Rizik1986]

I wanted to ask the same question. Please let us know.

[@abristernak9870]

Good 👍👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@sillygoose9666]

It doesn't look snake proof but looks like you did a great job 👍 😊 I love it

[@CaliCluckers]

Thank you! We haven’t had any snakes yet but we don’t see them around the property anyway. I’d definitely go with a smaller gauge and a cover if you have snakes on the property.

[@user-je4zk7zv4i]

Great idea, about how much was the cost to build? I would be covering mine with hardware cloth since I have a rodent problem.

[@obinnantombizodwanwafor605]

Lovely. Pls what’s the sizing of the timbers used. I’m building a similar project

[@blink182topfan]

How deep was your holes. How long are the vertical poles. I’m in the middle of framing & found your video. I’m about 12-14 inches in 3 holes so far. I’ve got 8 ft 4x4’s

[@kristidyson443]

Calicluckers, is the top wire horse fencing?

[@ALangston35]

What kind of wire did you use for both the top and bottom specifically? Are you worried about any predators slipping through where the structure connects to the coop you brought in?

[@jeanbernardjaume5115]

Yes ,awesome.but the canvas cover is made of which material?

[@bikes7777]

Canvas

[@faltio69]

You need a solid roof in run for other crawling climbing predators

[@DokDream]

I just bought a coop kit from Tractor Supply. I may reinforce the screening with expanded metal mesh. I agree that a strip of retaining material -- wood, aluminum, steel -- fastened around the screen is advised to discourage predator attack. Mainly, I am concerned about the wood base rotting away due to soil contact, since I cannot use copper green or other wood preservative. I am considering burrying a 12"-skirt of mesh around the perimeter at or just below the existing surface to discourage any predators that get into our yard. I am wondering if the skirt should be wider. I'll put concrete pavers over the mesh and stand the coop on them to provide a foundation. The instructions for coop assembly suggest reinforcing the base with an extermal frame. Again, I am concerned about fungal and termite attack over time. I can buy 2"x2" square vinyl tube -- the type used for rain downspouts -- and slide treated furring strips inside. Then I would form them into a frame and stand the coop on top. I think this combination would elevate the coop enough to allay my concerns about rot, yet not allow openings large enough for predators. I could also use landscape edging spikes to help keep the coop from shifting. Any comment?

[@bryantabor3084]

What “wire” did You use? Obviously more than a flexible chicken wire?

[@Cdot2]

Nice run but no wire across the top? Foxes will have no trouble getting in there…

[@canigetachannel]

We have Eagles here. No shade cloth will stop them. Only complete containment will stop a hungry Eagle ! They'll even carry off a small dog 🐕 ! Bald Eagles are huge birds.

[@CaliCluckers]

On the contrary, birds of prey won’t normally test a shade cover like we have in the run. They fear getting stuck within the area below the cover. Birds of prey are the only concerns we have in the area and we’ve had no issues thus far.

[@ToniMBullock]

I was with it until you decided not to put wire netting across the top. That’s a risky move. Canvas cover won’t be enough for my area.

[@CaliCluckers]

Yes, you want to be sure to add wire on top of the coop if you have predators in the area. A canvas top is enough to keep birds of prey out, which is all we really see in our area (no snakes, coyotes, etc. where we’re at.)

[@kaylanp4476]

How do you make it predator proof around the entry? (The part you walk through?) Also, how deep did you bury the frame posts?

[@Laccy41]

Hi so I have question, please. How does top in rainy season?

[@eddiebrown8087]

Can you please send me the layout of the run with measurements and materials needed. I really like that run.

[@clipstwitchalgomas76]

There are several components to doing a pro job. One place I found that successfully combines these is the coop magic tactic (check it out on google) definately the most helpful info i've seen. Check out this unbelievable site.

[@mommamorris3]

Where did you get the canvas cover? I love that for some shade.

[@CaliCluckers]

Thank you Christina! We bought ours from Home Depot but you can find something similar at most home improvement stores. We're so sorry it's been four weeks since you sent this. It's been a crazy summer (obviously) and we've been very busy. We're posting a new video later this week! :)

[@tonij9089]

What breed is the silver chicken with leg feathers? Love it!

[@CaliCluckers]

That is a Blue Cochin 🐓

[@thirdy3126]

What happened to the canvas when rains? Did it collapsed?

[@mrmosty5167]

Dimensions of the run?

[@carlossantamaria1360]

Hello, nice job... about how much did that cost you ?

[@CaliCluckers]

Good question - with the coop and the run we spent around $1,500.

[@martihetrick609]

Wire on top

[@forced4motorsports]

My thoughts exactly. It's not predator proof unless it's fully enclosed. That tarp is not enough. Mine is covered with wire and shade cloth and surrounded by two levels of electric fence wire; one at 6 inches and one 3 feet. I've had too many close calls to take chances. Hawks and turkey vultures are hanging around all the time, some brazen enough to perch on the roof of my house or sit atop the coop run headers trying to figure out how to get in.

[@user-so7dj3tw4d]

I buried an old bed wire frame about 3 inches of dirt covered it. I was trying to keep anything from burrowing in and eating my chicken. Hopefully it works but if not I'll just hook up a battery to it and make it an electric one lol totally kidding of course.

[@gavranbollywood7627]

Superb ❤️👌👌👌from india

[@axsdeny]

Since you didn't net or wire the top, isn't there a chance that a predator can just scale the side and pop into the run?

[@CaliCluckers]

That's a great question and they absolutely can! We live in an area where we don't see many predators. In the 8 years we've been here we've seen two coyotes, both times in the evening. The girls are locked up in the coop during the evening hours so we don't worry too much. Any airborne predators won't attempt to fly in as they fear they won't be able to get back out. I hope that helps! We're so sorry it's been 3 weeks since you posted your comment. It's been a crazy summer (obviously) and we've been very busy. We're posting a new video later this week! :)

[@axsdeny]

@@CaliCluckers I’m in Pennsylvania so our big issue is raccoons and opossums. They are a real PITA.

[@CaliCluckers]

@@axsdeny I can imagine that’s a pain. You’d have to cover the top with hardware cloth as well. Also, to be extra safe, dig a couple of feet down around the perimeter and add hardware cloth there as well.

[@willamestrada1121]

@@axsdeny I been to Brandywine Valley in PA. Beautiful place. Near Kenneth Square and West Chester.

[@axsdeny]

@@willamestrada1121 Ah, that is a nice area. I'm on the other side of the state. About 5 hours west.

[@rhondamautner4735]

Cant predators climb over into the top with no livestock wire on the run?

[@CaliCluckers]

That's a great question and they absolutely can! We live in an area where we don't see many predators. In the 8 years we've been here we've seen two coyotes, both times in the evening. The girls are locked up in the coop during the evening hours so we don't worry too much. Any airborne predators won't attempt to fly in as they fear they won't be able to get back out. I hope that helps!

[@owenriggs8518]

raccoons , next to minks are two of the deadliest and most lethal predators to chickens. A raccoon can climb up the side of a brick house so it would be in there in no time. As you stated though, you’ve been good for 8:years so they aren’t as hungry in your area.

[@kirkstinson7316]

@@CaliCluckers With the size of the fence you used a racoon can reach in and grab a chicken. They'll pull them threw (or mostly threw) the fence. Ask me how I know. If there are raccoons , opposums, or weaseles in your are stick to 1/2 or smaller hardware cloth

[@wheee64]

How did you protect the wood against weathering?

[@kennethhigdon1159]

Most people use Thompson’s Waterseal

[@madisonharrell196]

Would you mind providing your materials list and any written directions?

[@newvideos9187]

How much chickens can easily live

[@perryjeff77]

How much did this project cost?

[@marioherrera659]

Where you buy your wire

[@xmrxbaxterx6075]

I bet Jared from subway could get in

[@HaltWhoGoesThere]

What was your estimated materials cost for this please?

[@Texan_American]

With an open top you might as well not have any walls at all. Hawks and raccoons will have no issues getting to your birds Even foxes could probably get up there and over.

[@CaliCluckers]

Birds of prey won’t test the canvas top. Luckily that’s all we have in our area. If you have foxes, raccoons, etc. in your area, it’s definitely a good idea to run wire over the top of the run.

[@amandarenee6062]

What kind of wire did you use for the run?

[@CaliCluckers]

Hi Amanda - we used hardware cloth for the run. Hardware cloth is your best bet when fighting off predators. As an added safeguard, consider installing the hardware cloth underneath the ground as well.

[@lhs94xo]

What size hardware cloth?! TIA

[@mattturner3596]

Hardware cloth?? What size apertures and thickness / grade of the wire? This is basic information that should have been offered the viewer.

[@CaliCluckers]

@@lhs94xo Thank you for the question! We used a 20-gauge 1/2" hardware cloth for the run.

[@mindhunter00789]

roof wide open cat could climb that fence easily

[@PatriotPlus179]

Predators can get through that wire. Rats and weasels for sure.

[@mieestervo]

Do you guys have raccoons / have problems with them and your chickens?

[@CaliCluckers]

We haven't yet, no. We do have raccoons in the area but they're usually only out at night. Our girls are locked in their coop during the evening hours.

[@shadyfieldhomestead1974]

What type of wire did you use?

[@CaliCluckers]

We used hardware cloth.

[@organixgirl]

If I was to free range, is it all chickens for themselves basically because I have a large large backyard and I want them to just go out free.

[@odorprisca3571]

Pls can I get the dimensions used in this video?

[@mattturner3596]

Your advice is to NOT to use standard grade chicken wire. You used a much stronger wire. Please tell us what grade of wire you used. Thank you

[@stargirl369]

I know right?

[@CaliCluckers]

That's correct - we wouldn't use standard grade chicken wire as chicken wire tends to be very flimsy. We used a 20-gauge 1/2" hardware cloth for the run. We're so sorry it's been a month since you posted your comment. It's been a crazy summer (obviously) and we've been very busy. We're posting a new video later this week! :)

[@GraphicallySpeakingMimi]

That canvas tarp top would never work for us. We have hawks, coons, fox and coyotes that frequent our property so hawks and coons would finish them off in less than a week. So, we will use a hardware cloth/ wire screen for skirting and for the “roof” of the run. Chicken wire is useless against predators.

[@GraphicallySpeakingMimi]

We have seen every single one of these predators out…during the day, on our property. Taking no chances with my girls

[@eddiebarrera-ws8vu]

Better to use dry water yo pressure watch coops,first get water then dry it,then use dry water to wash coop,no no no no need to thk me.👍

[@tateportman4867]

How many chickens could that fit

[@CaliCluckers]

We fit 20 in there comfortably!

[@tateportman4867]

@@CaliCluckers do you think you could do 10 chickens and 2 turkeys

[@CaliCluckers]

@@tateportman4867 Absolutely

[@tateportman4867]

@@CaliCluckers thanks for responding

[@LifeNLiving518]

Hi, I’m new to this, How big is the coop? How big should a coop be for 15 chickens?

[@Thingys-Jill]

You probably already have an answer, but it depends on if you have bantams or full size chickens. You need 12" of roosting room per chicken (I know most sites tell you 8"). Are you in a cold climate or a hot one? If there's a chance they'll stay indoors because of extremely cold conditions, then you need at least 4 square feet per big bird and 2 square feet for each bantam. The bigger the better. You also need more ventilation than most coop builds offer. 1 square foot per bird near the top of the coop. Consider having hardware cloth "screen doors" on one side that can be closed off during inclimate weather.

[@pby1000]

No snakes can get in?

[@CaliCluckers]

Fortunately we don’t have any issues with snakes. The gauge wire we used would keep out anything too big, but technically snakes could still get into the run. The coop where the eggs are is completely sealed, however.

[@pby1000]

@@CaliCluckers thank you for the response. I hate dealing with snakes. Lol.

[@cherylangel1714]

First step: Be able to afford wood ;/

[@racheledwards6497]

You can go to hardware stores and see if they have any damage wood. Alot of times they sell cheap. Or use scrap wood. We built a huge chicken coop this weekend using wood we have collected

[@ginakemple1892]

snakes and raccoons gonna git yore chikins

[@tonynewman777]

Beautiful except for the wood I had 4 bulldog kill all of that chickens through fence paneling

[@BrandonGlaser-bn3tc]

Could you make a extended in detail version please

[@geminix821]

Yeah try building it from scratch no real plans just building it as you go with all reclaimed wood

[@victorm7274]

A raccoon will get in no problem what so ever. Right over the top in 2 seconds

[@johnhawk3570]

They lock them inside the coop during night and let them roam around the run during the day

[@BoriPR82]

It's not eagle proof or hawk proof.

[@slickbelge]

not snake proof or raccoon proof or cat proof or hawk proof, but it will stop a dog.

[@abcdeefamily6875]

Lol

[@laitulip5026]

JESUS IS KING

[@laitulip5026]

👑

[@brodriguez842]

Predator proof? The top is wide open. Also, that's way too many birds for that small of a space.

[@gpozdol7912]

If I was a predator I would just dig under.

[@rphb5870]

I am sorry to say but this is insufficient. Ye need 6 sides protection., that is include top and bottom. There must be no hole anywhere for a fox or a rat to get though

[@CaliCluckers]

Thank you for stopping by and checking out our channel! And you’re right - in a lot of instances you may need 6 sides of protection like we have with our run. There’s wire running underneath the ground and out from all 4 sides. As well, we have a canvas top that keeps birds of prey out of our run during the day. Luckily we only deal with hawks during the day on our property, and they won’t dare attempt to get underneath the canvas top for fear of getting stuck in the run. Coyotes have been seen in our neighborhood before, but they are very few and far between and never come down this way during the day. Everyone should build for their own unique prey situation.

[@rphb5870]

@@CaliCluckers In my country hawks are really lazy, we always see them sitting on top of lampost just waiting for a blackbird or something similar to be run over so they can go down and scope it up, much easier then hunting, and a chicken is too big. I let them out in the garden doing the day and only lock up tight in the evening. The only predators we have to worry about is foxes and weasels and they are too shy to come out doing the day.

[@mrscindymp]

raccoons and such can come in from the top.

[@pkmouflon2323]

I have 8 foot fence coyote still climb over and kill my mouflon sheeps

[@bikerdude6119]

You need a 10/22 ruger

[@thomasralfenson2684]

I'm really sure you can build it yourself. I did this 2 weeks ago thanks to the woodglut plans.

[@lukehansen1023]

What are the demensions of the run?