DIY Chicken Run

[@aaronhope8366]

I never would have thought about those as lumber options. I love it. That there just saved me solid cash and I appreciate it.

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

If you want to grow grass for the chickens in the new run, make a box any size, maybe 2ft x 4ft, or any size you want, and cover the top with chicken wire ( put a brace in the middle to support their weight, and plant grass seed, or whatever kind of seed you want, (that they will eat) inside the box. As it grows the chickens will stand on the wire and will peck at it, but not tear up the ground! You might plant a few of them along one side of the run and have them grow at different times to always have greenery available! ( plant thicker than normal) Just a suggestion! God Bless!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁 I will have to try that!

[@campingintheforest_]

Yea that's a great idea, thanks I'll be trying that!

[@jackieflynn7731]

Yes I have done it and it’s great

[@floridagirl386]

I am having a hard time visualizing this

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

@@floridagirl386 If you make a box (with no bottom)from 2x4's any size, (maybe 2ft on the short sides and 4ft on the long sides), cover it with chicken wire,( you might need to put a 2ft piece of 2x4 in the middle of the box to support the weight of the chickens, so you will have (3) - 2ft pieces and (2) - 4ft pieces). After you make the box, (with nk bottom)place it in the run and sprinkle grass seed on the ground under the chicken wire. When it grows, it will poke through the wire and the chickens will pick at the grass without scratching up the ground. Maybe this is a little clearer. God Bless!

[@nancy9704]

I'm binge watching this chicken coop build and extension. I think your family is precious. Your little daughter is helping and your wife is so loving with your children. I used to stand and sway rock side to side when I stood with my little ones. Must be a mom thing. Thanks for the video and for taking care of your fam and chickens. Dad is No. 1.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😆

[@bs4638]

Just a suggestion... you could have used the full height of the lumber to create a walk-in chicken coop AND grown some perennial plants like grapes all around to provide food for the family and shade for your feathered friends! 😄 Of course, it would have required a bit more cross bars for support.

[@cynthiadianecarey9902]

Landscaping timbers and ripping deck boards are great ideas!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😄 I’m glad the video was helpful!

[@erebus4736]

This is perfect for what my wife and I want to do! We're looking to build an outdoor ferret enclosure with dirt mounds and pvc to create burrows.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Sounds great! Thanks!

[@garyjordan299]

This is very true information! 3 years is right! They will rot 5 times faster than 4x4 post. Words from experience,

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! We’re going on year two now and they haven’t rotted out yet. I may end up adding a sealer on the pressure treated to help it last a bit longer hopefully! 😁

[@arthurshat7793]

Your sweet family is goals!

[@clownman-mq4ek]

Glad all the avian specialists came to view your site. I am awaiting their videos on building a chicken run. Good video by the way.

[@thorashebear7604]

You ought to look at making little wooden squares with that hardware cloth over the top. Allows grass to go through but they can't scratch and kill it. Could be an option of putting some in there!

[@TheMidwestIslander]

I feel it's a good budget friendly idea. I have a small shed for the future chickens indoor coop they can go in. I might consider this into my budget. I have already a lot of rocks on my land, because its an island. I appreciate these budget friendly ideas. I'm currently working on my garden though. I figured if I start now while there's snow, then less chance of seeing snakes and other creepy crawling critters for the heavy duty part of my garden. Like clearing things out of the way. Have a good day!

[@phuongvo3051]

The chickens are so happy with their big yard , ❤❤

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yeah they really enjoy the extra space!

[@gurbhalla]

Thank you so much a lot of important knowledge to get somebody going through a basic chicken coop for extending their chicken coop. Thank you so very much.

[@jimmyponds5504]

Good presentation! Glad to see family involvement!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😁

[@flowergirl3438]

Nice addition to the chicken run. I would have just kept the height of the timbers to keep it tall so you could stand inside, add perches, makes cleaning up poop easier. You make is look so easy, now I want to add an extension on my run.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! Yeah, the taller you can make it, the easier it will to get in there for any reason.

[@LosInmortalesGallos]

I'm sure those chickens are very happy with that new additon to their housing arrangement.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yeah they seem to be nicer to each other when they have more room to spread out. 😄

[@LosInmortalesGallos]

@@SimonSaysDIY yes it reduces the pecking and carnivorism.

[@VictorRodriguez-rd5xl]

That's a nice looking chicken coop run...like the rocks makes it look alot nicer

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@khmerfigth]

I like too

[@chickennugget2931]

Please put a riving knife on that table saw! It’ll help prevent kickback or binding on long cuts, cheers

[@Leapingspirit]

I used the electric fence posts that you can push into the ground with your foot and regular chicken wire that I used twist wire to secure to the posts and to itself for my expanded chicken run. Its held up well after several months, and I plan to expand it again next month because I'm going to be doubling my flock. Cost me less than $100 as well, 'cause I caught the chicken wire on sale.

[@thorashebear7604]

That lumber choice is a genius idea! Very much appreciated.

[@thefrenchgardener1865]

Thank you for mentioning the alternative lumber choices and the fact that lumber prices are crazy compared to two years ago. Great video.....great job! Thanks!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thank you! 😄 I’m glad my video could be helpful!

[@FM-Patriot]

It looks good! My wife and I are looking to have chickens next year!

[@bullandtimber]

Landscape timbers, yes! I just did the same thing building a fence around my garden. I saved over $100 using timbers instead of pressure treated dimensional lumber

[@SimonSaysDIY]

It’s crazy how much cheaper these Timbers are! Thanks! 😁

[@CrossroadToCountry]

@@SimonSaysDIY They're cheaper because they're not truly pressure treated. They're sprayed. They don't have the penetration that the pressure treated lumber does and as a result will rot quicker.

[@masoodali2745]

@@SimonSaysDIY to

[@angeliseperaza1620]

I love this idea and thank you for the wood suggestion that really save me.

[@jandoinc]

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely use the rocks in my yard for our new run.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks!

[@abcsha.]

I appreciate your creative work for birds .

[@susancade2092]

Great job!! Thank you for sharing your project. I use treated landscaping timbers as post & still holding up eight years running! 😊

[@SimonSaysDIY]

That is awesome! Thanks! 😁

[@dustinoquinn3212]

Did you concrete them in? I’m looking at doing this!

[@grizzly4736]

A simple yet good looking build. Thank you. I am looking at ideas to expand our chicken run and this is a good idea. I appreciate that you mention the prices of material. My wife was looking at buying one of them pre-fab chain link dog run things to put around them, but I like building and can do this for much cheaper than that pre-fab. Thank you again.

[@RickysFarmAndHatchery]

If you fill with sand wood will last longer and put rocks on the base of the wood. Can get sand from the river or beach

[@karenbuckner1959]

Nice build and well explained. We ran hardware cloth vertically 12" deep around the perimeter. The hardware cloth or chicken wire around the lower fence line sounds good.

[@floridagirl386]

How high does it need to be

[@karenbuckner1959]

@@floridagirl386 high enough to wire the hardware cloth to the side fencing. You don't want gaps that unfriendlies can crawl through.

[@floridagirl386]

@@karenbuckner1959 right. How tall of hardware mesh? I grabbed 36" by 100ft. 36 inches should be high enough right?

[@pamcarter6595]

Very nice. I love that . Nice design.

[@Dawn_______]

Thanks for sharing these great money saving tips.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Your very welcome! Thanks! 😄

[@rahulbarman5314]

you are lucky my friend, you got you she as supportive friend!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@ryveralexander8511]

I like this simple style. Thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@abdulsbadr]

This is amazing!! Thanks

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@Skillfuljoe23]

If I ever build a chicken run, am using at least 1/2 an acre. I love those little egg laying turds 🤣🤣!

[@debkincaid2891]

This looks wonderful! I may steal this idea except for one change: I'd use heat treated wood (steam), not pressure treated (with toxic chemicals). But, other than that, nice!

[@RPG-oh1yf]

Modern pressure treated wood is not toxic, that's why it doesn't last like pressure treated wood from 50 years ago.

[@maddog6542]

pressure treated wood is fine for chickens actually. don't tell people to waste money if you don't have the facts.

[@debkincaid2891]

@@maddog6542 We'll have to agree to disagree on that point. Unless the wood is heat treated without chemicals, I sure don't want my chickens ingesting it when they're pecking on the wood. And they will peck on the wood. All the best ~ 🐓

[@maddog6542]

@@debkincaid2891 can't really disagree with facts, but whatever

[@argelynpepitovlogs5730]

Hello watching from Philippines 🇵🇭🥰

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@Cityfolksfarm]

What a great idea! I dig it.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Glad you like it! Thanks! 😁

[@brendabaxter9297]

Great video! As always precision work with beautiful outcome! I really enjoy your videos and watching your family help you!🙂❤🐔🐓🔨

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😃 I love when we get the chance to be outside working together!

[@raoh8096]

you should still have a wire skirt about 18" on the outside underneath your rocks to keep predators from digging in

[@RPG-oh1yf]

That's the purpose of the rocks! That's a lot of digging to get under 6-12" horizontally of large rocks! It would take a predator days to dig that far. My run has wireless motion sensors around it. If I get a hit at night, I get to test out my thermal optic on the .223! Win/Win

[@jackieflynn7731]

I would put more boards to hold the screen up during the heavy snow season.

[@tonymalaluan]

Nice to see how it became a family project. I know the chooks will be safe within the run...

[@juberahmed1144]

Why am I watching this? I don’t even own a house

[@barbaydian261]

Lmaooo this tickled me

[@franklincone4636]

You got to know what to dream of before it becomes a goal then make it happen

[@misamisa2677]

Future information

[@boostjunkieMike]

Well done 👌🏾 😎 thanks for sharing

[@SimonSaysDIY]

No problem 👍

[@adamsfamilygarden5222]

Looks Great 👍🏻❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@fluffyotter1601]

Nice! Thanks for the $ saving tips. Need to build a chicken run, as well:)

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! Glad I could help! :)

[@mysparky2011]

Wow, crazy how fast the grass was gone! May I suggest burying hardware cloth under the dirt along the outside edges of the run instead of rocks. It's actually part of the fence. I'm not sure how effective the rocks will be at keeping a coyote or fox out of the run. I have to worry about that in Ontario, maybe you don't. Nice video.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip. So far so good, I’ve seen coyotes and dogs around the coop and none have been able to get in yet. 👍🏻

[@WonderboyWDE]

I feel for you having to dig on a slant AND into that red clay. My yard is nothing but that clay and it’s a beast when it’s dry because it’s like brick, and horrible when it’s wet because it’s just a gummy mess that gets stuck in the diggers. You had your hands full no doubt!

[@alanviner3711]

VERY NICE JOB!!

[@kathywentz208]

Chickens dig holes for their heath of mites. You might make a dust bath separate (a tire, a kids swimming pool etc).

[@Gibaskesemarfarm]

Great video, great job.. thanks

[@davidcisneros4400]

Awesome video. I've been doing some research on chicken coops. From building to maintaining etc. Thank you for sharing.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate it! 😁

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

You're lucky the city made us get rid of our Chickens. 🐔🐓

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Oh, that’s too bad! We are just outside of city limits so we should be good 👍🏻

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

@@SimonSaysDIY I'm just glad there's still places that'll let people keep chickens.

[@ivoivic2448]

a simpler solution would be to not cut down every single shrub or bush because you want a clean yard. my grandparentss kept chicken and rarely a hawk managed to catch one because their yard wasn't a golf course.

[@MelSr8]

This is a great build. Do you ever cover it for shade or rain/snow protection? Wondering how it’s held up to the weight of snow. ❤

[@deleahwilliams1557]

Guys did an amazing job but I think I’ll stick to just buying it from the store thank you😊

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😁

[@boyskilledtv9469]

nice idea of chicken cage

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😆

[@MQBEE]

THIS WEEKENDS PROJECT

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Nice! Good luck!

[@rosstheplumber6209]

Good stuff!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks so much!! 😃

[@miltonalvira2712]

amazing video thank you

[@dandan8333]

We have 13 chickens and 2 ducks in an area just under 2 acres and a coop ~450 Sq ft. Breaking down the chickens of 5 roosters, 7 hens, and 1 undecided. The ducks have a male and female. All about the same hatching dates... as everyone depends upon each other. They truly utilize the land to its fullest each day! Previous there were sheep, goats, turkeys, and chickens for ~3 years. 3/5 is open and 2/5 has trees that are somewhat cleared out underneath. Predators are crazy in large numbers. The majority listen when I talk to them keeping an unique harmony in this animal farm; similar to the book with a Dr Doolittle twist. Domesticated or wildlife of all kinds living a free range lifestyle. As the stewardship requires two requests... 1) all hunters will be terminated, including all relatives. 2) the Golden rule is the law of these 18 acres downtown; 2 blocks off main street. Yes, crazy enough to have worked for 12 + years. No one wishes to experience that "one BAD day in their life!" Local folks are totally amazed and during hunting seasons each year, the swearing goes to high levels. But, if they're hungry I do have a 3 acre market garden... not including food forests and long term crops sections. About 5 acre for natural habitats for wildlife. The only thing that's out of control are the chemtrails and weather changes! All unnatural and government controlled... to an extent of____! Thanks to researching paid by tax dollars and the air force over Citizens of America private lands; having little to do within natural climate changes! No worries ahead , as many have washed their hands turning blinded eyes of beliefs. Many items on any homesteads can be accomplished with proper thoughts. At what levels are subscribers challenged at for a brighter tomorrow? Enjoy your lifestyle that you are able to create! Thanks for your DIY examples.

[@Balada143]

everything is superb but the pole standing only with support of soil is disturbing me, if any heavy rain the soil will loosen and chance for poles to collapse, my advice is pls pour concreate suppoort to poles for atleast 1 feet below ground , it will give both support and Termite resistant.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tip! It’s held up so far but that center post is the weak point for sure.

[@Balada143]

@@SimonSaysDIY and had to add an suggestion did u hear the feed AZOLLA which can be grow easily in home great feeds for chickens,cattles, which is 100% usefull for self substain. if this is new to u plz google it and enquiry about it, i m using for last 5 years upto last month for my chickens and cattles very cheap and best nutrition, It increase eggs size and quantity and chicken taste increased. Due to Job i exit farm,but it helps me a lot during that time.

[@janemartin2331]

You did a great job showing some tips about how to save $ on the wood. One way we are planning on keeping the chickens from trying to dig out is to lay hardware on the ground around the parameter and then put the fence on and finish it off with sand. We used this when we were setting up the coop and it worked great...even helped keep the mice out!

[@zerff62]

How so? I’m trying to do the same with my chickens and keep the mice out

[@eli92]

Great job……loved it!👏👏👏👏

[@jordansmith2687]

What are you using to secure the chicken wire / Hardware Cloth to the posts? Looked pretty quick and easy! Love the tip on the timbers vs 4x4s!

[@MrKillerRC]

A staple gun.

[@0xSol_Invictus]

Lumber prices have changed a lot! That 4x4x8 that you were comparing at $17.38 is now $9.27 (in my area at least) and the landscape is $4.68. Would you still use the timbers over the 4x4 post if you're only saving $4.59 each?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Very true! The price difference is much smaller now, I would probably use the 4x4s. Thanks! 😁

[@RPG-oh1yf]

You must be shopping at Lowes! I'm in Virginia and on 2.7.2023 the 4x4x8 treated post at Lowes is exactly $9.27 😆 I just bought 4 of them for the main posts for our chicken coop I'm in the process of building. The landscape timbers are cheaper, but I have found that they are not as well pressure treated as the dimensional 4x4's and will rot out within 5 years when burried. Modern pressure treated posts will last about 20 years. Long gone are the days when pressure treated posts would last 50+ years when burried! Thanks, EPA for that.

[@floridagirl386]

​@@RPG-oh1yfwhat's epa?

[@ernestolopez4931]

Very good

[@budhames5254]

Very informative video. Thanks. I just subscribed too!

[@FM-Patriot]

Just curious... Why did you make it so low, when your posts were already tall enough for it to be around 6 feet? Thanks

[@halepveanglonubiankecisitr1930]

thanks you are great

[@SimonSaysDIY]

You are welcome! 👍🏻

[@tropicalfishgallery6718]

Great job...

[@rossananoggle6066]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@michelleschweizer9000]

Very nice thx! How much was the bucket of rock?

[@ozcankaymak3759]

Çok güzel olmuş. Tebrik ederim 😊❤👍🇹🇷

[@bahmanshabani7695]

Very nice and good job

[@ahmedaoujil8292]

Good job

[@asmaaw8227]

Hi there, thank you very much for this video, could you please name the electronic tools you used to attach posts and wire. Thanks

[@lobos3095]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥰 from Washington 🙋‍♂️

[@zachward6185]

How far did you space your vertical landscaping timbers? Just trying to get ideas for my chicken run!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I believe it was 8 feet apart. Thanks!

[@warrenduthie7308]

Was that a staple gun you used to secure the chicken wire? Great video thank you!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Yes, that’s correct! Thanks for watching!

[@dontbea7237]

As a way of deterring pests I'm planting citrus trees around chicken pen like hedges and just keeping them prune down to about 3 ft tall

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks for the tips! 😁

[@Hillal1981]

رائع

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks!! 😁

[@Paul-hl5ls]

A racoon will reach his hand through the wire and grab a chicken and fish it out through the wire eating as it goes. A fox can often chew it's way through cheaper chicken wire. Best to give them 10 sq. ft. of run space per bird and at least 2 sq. ft. of open floor space in the coop per bird to keep them from fighting too much. Y'also want no more than 4 birds to a nest box.

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! I appreciate the tips! We are planning to add the thinner chicken wire alone the bottom for extra protection. We currently have 4 nesting boxes for 8 chickens. We should have a bit more room for a few more chickens but I’ll have to measure and check the square footage of the space we have. Thanks! :)

[@gavranbollywood7627]

Awesome 👌👌👌❤️from India

[@piggybankers1896]

Nice video, sending suport from piggybankers18, 🤗

[@deewagners6676]

How often do you have to work inside that new co-op? If you need to work there regularly, maybe you need to adjust the hight so that you don‘t ruin your back! 😅 I only work in a position which is comfy for my back.

[@nasipanpodomoro3587]

Chicken run mantap Assalamu'alaikum bagaimana cara youtube pemula bisa berkembang seperti abang salam kenal dari saya nasipan Podomoro manado Sulawesi Utara

[@LinoPR-ds2ke]

I can imagine when it rains , it’s a mud pit, I rather go with a roof

[@joeblow8206]

Racoons can move those rocks. Big mistake not digging up floor first and laying a mesh floor then reburying it. Connect mesh to walls

[@hectormaldonado4369]

Awsome!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Thanks! 😆

[@kimbloebaum576]

Did you bury your fence or do you just use the rock as a deterrent?

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Just the rock. Thanks! 😁

[@hardwareclothwww.sebossfen6011]

May I know which type hardware cloth do you used for building the chicken run?

[@RPG-oh1yf]

It's 1/2" x 1/2" galvanized steel hardware cloth. Available at most hardware stores, Lowes, Home Depot, Rural King, Tractor Supply, etc.

[@floridagirl386]

​@user-sy2fe2bf8t that's not hardware cloth but I know what you're doing. I love you for that ❌️❤️❌️❤️❌️❤️

[@lejuldesign3677]

The mobile chicken coop is best ...they can eat always fresh grass

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I need to try that!

[@Schedule1ne315]

Why so deep for the post hole? Standard fence holes is 18”

[@SimonSaysDIY]

I had some extra length so I figured it would hold a bit better. The ground was fairly soft so it was easy to go a few more inches. :)

[@craigbrown7058]

SAFETY GLASSES !!!!!

[@SimonSaysDIY]

Your probably right! Thanks! 😁

[@heninthefoxhouse]

Hi my dears, you forgot to say how you decided how far apart to put the posts, and how far apart they are. Is there any way you could add that info?

[@michellebourget8820]

Hi! Do you have a link for the timber posts? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

[@brendapowell5511]

Did you put anything down as bedding for them?

[@jon.b2696]

I wonder where you got that fence for your property line! 🤔 I have a 2 year old so I’m interested haha!

[@ForestToFarm]

Nice set up. Not 100% sure but I don’t think those 5/4” deck boards are meant for direct contact with earth. Hoping to get started with chickens here soon. Thanks for the video! Terry