Primitive Chicken Run Build That's Snake and Predator Proof!

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Everyone, I've uploaded a little earlier than usual this weekend - hope you enjoy it! * I should point out that, YES, it would be wise to dig a barrier underground around the run a few feet down if you don't have an outer perimeter defence system like an electric fence and a secondary pen fence with an anti-dig skirt that covers most of the run - both of which we do... And that in some areas with big animals (like bears) my build may not work as well - I hope this covers everything... Don't forget to like, share (that helps heaps) and subscribe if you haven't already. Have a great DIY and self-sufficient weekend! Cheers :)

[@northeastslingshot1664]

Hey!😀 Im growing perpetual spinach indoors after your recommendation. Im really excited about it! I just transplanted into 2 gallon pots and strong leaf development already.

[@jen8063]

Lovely but we wouldn't recommend it to the south africans would we?

[@Selfsufficientme]

We haven't had anything dig under our electric fence no... been trialling it for over 12 months now. Video coming soon 😉👍

[@kafs1822]

@@Selfsufficientme the critters are scared off by the old matey figure 11s :D

[@danielkemp1442]

I reckon it looks GREAT, Mark and it is clearly functional for you as well. Thanks for sharing. I see that you "targetted" the coop extension. Great use of THAT resource; I never liked the original intended use. I always said the safest place to stand when I was looking down range, was, directly in front. ;) Anyway, loved the video, and the building style. The whole chook coop, run, and free range area looks so natural.

[@cla99009]

To prevent foxes and raccoons from digging under the edges of our chicken fortress, we laid a secured section of mesh fence horizontally around the outside base of the walls. Any approaching predator is already standing on the wire fence & can't dig down through it.

[@MeanOldLady]

We ended up sinking ours (hardware cloth sized like he has around the base) vertically because we planted wormwood, tansy & rue along the run for the chooks to peck at through their run to help keep mites, worms & other parasites way down. We also figured as the ground shifted over time, we'd end up tripping over it all the time if we installed it horizontally.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes, I've done the same to our outer pen (that encloses most of our run) - it has a thick galvanized skirt around the base and it works well 🙂👍

[@russellmoore1533]

@@Selfsufficientme Plus 1 for the skirt, if it was me I would bend some heavy mesh into an L shape with the vertical short side up the outside of the mesh fence, and the long horizontal side pegged down onto the ground with some sturdy pegs of some kind. As en ex commercial poultry farmer I have a hatred of foxes, they have a killing instinct that goes way beyond killing just for food.

[@dystopiagear6999]

Burying fencing in the ground does work, but just keep in mind it will be there for at least a lifetime. That's a good thing if you intend to leave it there forever, but if a previous landowner did it and you decide you don't want that fence or building there for some reason, it's nearly impossible to dig it out once it's all tangled up and locked down from underneath from roots growing through it. Then you're stuck with just cutting it off the best you can and constantly having wires sticking up out of the ground. Laying the fencing on the ground is very nearly as bad for that. Ask me how I know.... it's NO fun going back and fixing mistakes, especially someone else's screw-ups.>:( Raising the structure up a few inches and putting a skirt of sheet metal around it works *much* better. Even if the structure sits on the ground and/or you bury some of the sheet metal, it will be a *lot* easier to get out if you ever decide to move it. Cut-offs from a new metal roofing project work a treat for that. Don't just think about the cheapest fastest way to do things right now, try to think 5 or 10 or 20 years ahead.

[@Lortafant_of_Norway]

@@dystopiagear6999 Good point. I put stones that are 40x40 cm square around the coop, and then ''normal'' rocks around them. If a fox want to dig into the coop, it has to start 50 cm from the mesh. I would say that should be a safe way to keep them away.

[@ericd6879]

It is very refreashing to see a chicken coop that does not look like a suburban condominium. This exactly what self sufficient means. Use what you find and what you already have. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@alwaysjiji7198]

my favorite part of the chicken run is that latch, very clever~!

[@vivianramsay2527]

I for one appreciate your creative structuring!! A forgotten art! Use what you have, make the best of what's available! Some folks are too worried with appearances for appearances sake and dont focus enough on function and getting on with the job!! Thank you for a very entertaining and educational build!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Vivian! 🙂👍

[@bored.in.california2111]

What I mostly like about this is how, even though you used salvaged materials, it still looks neat, straight(ish), and proper. Things like that reflect on the character of the builder :)

[@freewillchoice8052]

The timing of this video popping up in my feed is no accident. I'm working on constructing a coop and run out of repurchased and natural materials as well, and a lot of ideas I had in my head you have already manifested in this video which helps me a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[@S_Ribeiro]

It's quite wholesome to see you so proud about the chicken run you built. More of this please!

[@MrRigmunkee1]

The Taj Mark. Outstanding build.

[@deecooper1567]

You are Definitely my kind of people Mark👍❣️. Repurpose/Reuse 😍. And it blends with Mother Nature herself!!! Great job 😎

[@jaklawrence4301]

I like how to had a tree in the way, so you built around it and incorporated it into the build rather than doing what many others would have done and chopped it down. If only more people thought like that when building stuff!

[@kayjames190]

Have seen chicken runs built around Mulberry trees. Works really well, shade, chooks clean up dropped mulberries and fertilise the trees 😊

[@ricardocalderon9823]

Yes its practical for a chicken coop but not a house or commercial building that needs a concrete foundation lol

[@kellylutey7506]

After a few disastrous builds I finally got the coop of my dreams! Built with some new materials and “this n that’s”. My hens sang my praises and left me gifts almost everyday🤗 Keep up the videos please! They make me smile and I learn lots! Thank you 😊

[@Selfsufficientme]

Good on ya Kelly thank you! 🙂👍

[@steviemichelle7271]

This is PERFECT! All of the other videos are just people buying lumber and copying a store-bought coop/run. I don’t want to spend way too much on overpriced pine. I live in the country and I want my run to feel like part of nature, but also keep chickens safe from nature 🤣 You’re the best!

[@AnyaGangulee]

Great job, Mark. 😊 If you are smiling, it is definitely art.

[@TheJohn8765]

:...and it's as solid as... *heck*!" Your self-censorship never ceases to make me smile, Mark. Nice build, too.

[@CJDe-kx8of]

I love the rustic look for everything and building with scavenged materials. Good Job‼️👏👍

[@jlgibbens89]

Hey Mark, Just wanted to thank you for your videos as they have allowed me to introduce my partner to the idea of self sufficiency and a more off grid/ homestead style life and lo and behold she is actually very open to the idea once it was explained through your videos. Keep up the great work mate!

[@Selfsufficientme]

That's great to hear! Thank you and all the best with your self-sufficient journey 🙂👍

[@VK-qo1gm]

Love your chook house, so glad I saw this!, after a few wks of hubby & myself building an elaborate veg garden space w/kitchenett area,etc. We are up to making chook house, no need to torture ourselves with complicated build, love your idea

[@HP66856]

I’ve loved your chook coop in other videos - this was really inspirational to watch and takes the fear out of building one myself. Yes, professional carpenters or builders could throw something professional together, but I love the rustic look of your coop. Thanks for posting 👍🏻

[@hollywachin]

Youre a doll. I was so glad to find your rustic but safe coop. I live in a forest in the PNW and will be using as much reclaimed materials as possible right from the land. thank you for your inspiration. I will go for it !

[@BostonRocks76_Carmen]

You did a fantastic job! You know, Noah built the Ark. Engineers built the Titanic. ;) I am so glad that you shared this video. I had been wandering how to keep snakes out of the coop.

[@peppermintp2610]

I like the rustic coop and how you combined natural with man made materials. It is nice to see such a commitment to the health and safety of your animals.

[@j4shortee]

You convinced me. I’m building one in my back yard.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Good on ya Josh! 🙂👍

[@Dyson_Gday_Nice_to_Meet_You]

Over engineered. :D :D :D You are a bloody legend mate. :D

[@Selfsufficientme]

Lol... thanks mate 😁👍

[@amandaremsen6346]

This was very inspirational. I am far from a carpenter and have been feeling a little intimidated by other coop build videos. I really love this, it looks great!

[@tonylarkin7564]

Great Video Mark ,the kookaburras knew when to Laugh ...They have been watching you build it ..Well Done Mate Regards Tony

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Tony! The kookaburras laugh at my projects all the time mate... 😁👍

[@cguidry1481]

Great job. Looks great to me.

[@spincrunch]

Good day! Great video. I'm building a chicken run now so your work and sharing has helped me! God bless you and family!

[@cynthiadianecarey9902]

Love your rustic coop! And the way you repurposed stuff to create a great place for your chickens!

[@erichall7068]

Excellent combination of the functional and creative, very affirming of resourcefulness

[@agriculture4890]

I effing love your adorable presentations! Keep being awesome! It brings lots of people joy, I hear! Good for you and everyone! Wheeeeeeeee!

[@westlakefarms]

Great job Mark and I really like the rustic look of the natural wood!

[@aliciaroot2201]

Good job mister! Nuts too all those professional builders. My dad was very creative too.

[@sarahjanegrew]

You are the best. I love the old rustic natural look. I'm keen to get searching around for materials I can use to build something (alot smaller as I live in suburban area) like this.

[@digitalportraitist]

Mark; Your videos are great! I really do enjoy watching you all the way from Virginia in the U.S.. Also thank you for your service as well!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Dave and I appreciate your kind support from all the way over in the USA cheers mate 😂👍

[@aaroncole7736]

You can't beat the feeling of accomplishment. Good show.

[@lyndabuchholz1216]

I love to see something made with repurposed materials. I am thinking on making a chicken home for my place and am collecting ideas. Thank you!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Lynda! Yes, my vids are more about giving people ideas "food for thought" lol rather than telling how it "must" be done because every place is different and everyone has different materials or needs. All the best 🙂👍

[@michellespear6661]

Bless your heart, Mark, I love that you are willing to see that things are possible and just dive in. Not only that, but you make as much use as possible of what presents itself. It's the best possible way to live.

[@elli637]

Great job, this gives great ideas and making sure the girls fair better. Especially when we’re not around. I appreciate your time in making these videos . That is a lot of time and trouble I Know. They really have helped, even for a granny here in Garrard County, Kentucky. Other than the occasional potty word, I sure enjoy them.Thank you and your dear wife Nina

[@northeastslingshot1664]

So great! We need to do this on our off grid property soon. Thank you!

[@levintry8812]

Great! I've been wanting to start keeping some chickens, but we have a pack of coyotes that hunt about a 1/2 mile from where we live in the country. Thanks for posting this, I'm excited to learn!

[@dylanzrim1011]

Levintry you’ll need to overengineer the floor. Those coyotes will dig

[@Talenin2014]

@@dylanzrim1011 too right. I designed a chicken run for a family member and we got a trencher to dig around 1M down around the perimeter next to the post holes and put some reclaimed galvanised roofing iron sheets in. Has kept any digging pests out so far.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes, either dig down and insert mesh or install a mesh skirt around the run or an electric fence to keep k9 out. We have an electric fence around our outer perimeter and a galvanized skirt around our poultry pen which also surrounds most of the chicken run. Poultry are very tempting indeed for larger predators but with the right defences you can keep them mostly worry free. All the best 🙂👍

[@1zero8dragon]

Looks like the galvanized strap company should sponsor you. Great job. Thanks for sharing.

[@blackprincegt]

Personally I think this is pretty handy work there old mark from self sufficient me 👍

[@o2CleaR2c]

Your awesome! Your like a good friend I never met. When you make jokes and have the banter with the camera I feel we are talking lol! Love the part when you open the door and comment "its like magic.... well it amuses me". ROFL yes....

[@sunshinestateofmarv7967]

I didnt know anything about building either, and was able to put together a coop out of scraps and some new wood. It is something to be proud of, when you're finished!

[@truthhurtz2793]

BRAVO !!! You are a Genius, and a Jack of all trades !! Awesome video, thank you.

[@janeck.8695]

Looks great! As long as you and the chickens like it, don't worry about what the carpenters say. It is really, really imaginative the way you built it and, above all, very useful. A super job, I love it.

[@fCLEF007]

we did one extremely similar to this as a cat enclosure - except we have UV cable ties holding the mesh together, stepping stones on the floor for winter, and a grapevine growing over the top :D

[@Selfsufficientme]

Cool cat enclosure! 🙂👍

[@christelchristely2816]

I'm from Austria, as far as you can get from Australia, and I open the door from the chickenrun exactly the same way from inside. Some things can not get better. 😄

[@1MSally1965]

Christel Christely me too in the USA. 😘

[@Fuzzinutt]

Yesssss!! What an awesome run!! Very rustic and perfect!! Thanks Mark and well done!! ;D

[@sharonadlam3195]

Amazing coop, definitely suits the location. Love how chuffed you were with it - lovely to see. :)

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Sharon! 🙂

[@ChristopherWKwan]

I inherited a chook shed with this house. Took me the better part of a week to make sturdy. I reused screws from renovations. I try to reuse or store anything in good nick. I went cheap too using metal strips to strengthen corners. Just finished today. Wish I saw this video first! Ha Ha Carry on.

[@jjo5375]

You may certainly take a bow for your secure, humane, well-thought out chicken complex! Practical, enduring, and not an eye-sore to the environment. Well Done! : )

[@kimcritchley8231]

Great coop Mark, and it blends in with the surroundings.

[@Shortcake39553]

Thanks so much for showing people who think it's expensive to house chickens an easier route. Sometimes the housing is what makes people who want chickens procrastinate. My grandparents had a rustic coop and kept chickens for many years.

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

Have you built yourself a greenhouse yet? I’d like to see. Wonderful run. I love it and I love that your wife could laugh at your “ingenuity”.

[@lollypop2413]

The coup the Jack built! I love it!

[@TheHarleyEvans]

i would be every bit as amused with the latch too if i'd managed to figure it out! great job, you've every right to be proud of it

[@bencowles2105]

That is pretty cool. I have built several coops over the years out of salvaged materials.

[@lc7789]

Can you do how to grow a ton of herbs video? cilantro, fennel, rosemary etc. thanks! love your work. cheers from USA

[@Shane_O.5158]

yes, i would like to see growing of an drying herbs vid, basil, garlic (drying (i know how to grow it ) dry for herb chips/flakes/ powder to sprinkle on foods , and same for drying capsicum / chilli.

[@rachaelh9299]

Cate someone in Aussie we would call it coriander

[@Selfsufficientme]

I have done some individual ton vids on herbs eg cilantro kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX_PgmB6hKulo80 also basil and oregano just look though my how to grow a ton of playlist. But I could do a variety herb cluster in a small raised bed that could be interesting... cheers 🙂👍

[@Selfsufficientme]

Yes I'm happy to do more drying and preserving herb vids also thanks for the suggestion 🙂👍

[@lc7789]

@@Selfsufficientme thanks. need to see how to grow a ton of fennel, by the way on the cilantro is it ok to start them from seed now? (early U.S. autum)

[@ReishHaLevi]

You're such an inspiration. I love learning from your videos.

[@heidigouge9737]

Brilliant build, Mark. You build the way my father does with bits and pieces. Nothing goes to waste! :D I'm looking forward to a future coop in my backyard. In Florida, we have to contend with raccoons, opossums, snakes, rats and hawks.

[@denirn8725]

Looks SUPER top me! I never understood why the Chicks would want to Roam Free at night anyway! I’d imagine Chicken 🐔 want to snooze at night. Good stuff mate!

[@cathygainge3033]

I know the feeling of fixing a gate so you can open from the inside. You get a big smile on your face at how clever you are 😁

[@RiverPlaid]

Beautiful Mark! You are providing for your family and you are awesome.🌸

[@juliebec3406]

Good on you Mark. No matter what it looks like as long as it works and is cost effective. That is all that matters. Cheers from Perth

[@Selfsufficientme]

Cheers Julie! 🙂👍

[@joannaherrick2215]

This is awesome. We have to rebuild our whole coop and pen again since we only had ours for a couple weeks before a big storm passed and a tree got de rooted and smashed out pen and coop in the middle. It was so disheartening for my kids and I since we put so much into building the first one. So now we are looking for the cheapest and best way to go forward since we have them under the trampoline at night and roam in the day. But winter is coming and we're from Wisconsin so we have to get a hurry on it.

[@reikawahara770]

This is epic ! I feel very encouraged to try to build something now. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... Self Sufficient Me, thank you for sharing your video 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🎥👍👍👍

[@unafilliatedx2310]

"I reckon its artwork" 😅😅

[@Primal_Primat3]

Never be scared to give something a go as long as you put some thought and effort into it. Last year I built my own pollytunnel out back and a chicken coop, wouldnt say its an eyesore, but its far from pretty lol, but its all sound and in working order. Well about 2 months ago we had a real bad storm that had me shitting myself as I expected to wake up to nothing there in the morning other than a mess left by the near 90+ mph winds, as these winds destroyed concrete buildings and took down trees that had been there for 100's of years. I woke up and everything was fine other than a little bit of my sheeting had came off a tiny little bit and my door got flopped over in half but all was still standing and in full working order with 5 mins of work. Was and still am to this day chuffed lol

[@cynforrest]

You should be proud!! Well done you. It’s always so satisfying to problem solve and McGiver something that actually works - and using available resources? Bonus points!! I love your channel. TFS

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Cyn! 🙂👍

[@zakarydillard6923]

Beautiful piece of property. I didn't know they had places like this in Australia. I thought it was all shrub. Wish I could see for myself. How about bugs and other creepy crawlies there. Thanks for the fun and informative videos. Love them all.

[@mateabd.Beauties.and.theBeast]

I found your chanel recently, Mark. I don't grow vegetables and do not have chickens, but the way you present things I found very entertaining. So, every morning I drink coffee before work and watch some of your videos. Even this one which have no practical value for me personaly. I realy like live tree and that yellow part with picture !!! And I even started to think about have few chickens just as experiment. Which is prety crasy because I have 3 big dogs and one of them has high pray drive. So this hans have prety low chance to live long and happy lives😎

[@loislangley2975]

Excellent video, our coop must be 40 years old, similar style with 3 coops 6 feet wide and 30 feet long. Our chicken coop has thick chunks of 1/2 logs dug in at each doorway to stop animals digging under.

[@Timmsy]

This is so useful for us here in sth East qld.... What a palace!! Thank you🐣🐤🐥

[@jamesstrickland228]

I would just like to say that I absolutely love this video. I just found it and saw that the materials that you used in your chicken run were exactly the same as the materials I used in mine carpentry is okay but recycle reuse and improvise keep up the good work I love it

[@luisserrano8551]

Love how you used the natural lumber around you....Nice and simple....thank you for sharing your work....

[@Flintlock1776]

Really cool! I'm in the process of building a new run myself. Great insight. Thanks!

[@Shooting_the_Breeze]

Awesome Mark. Love your videos. Wish we had the space to do the things you can. We do what we can with our bit

[@nicolaj3294]

Might be primitive but it's bloody good, nice job

[@MickyBellRoberts]

I love how rustic it looks, not a commercialized purchased chicken run. It fits in perfectly with your property. Nice work, you da man.

[@jaredmccutcheon5496]

I love it Mark. I am a carpenter, but I also love using salvaged material for projects. I also have over 300 chickens and lots of chicken coops that I built with mostly salvaged material. Even though I have the skills to build them perfectly, I love that rustic salvaged material look for things like this. Makes me think about all the money I saved, lol.

[@Selfsufficientme]

300 chooks Jared! I bet they keep you busy but that's great stuff good on ya mate 🙂👍

[@jaredmccutcheon5496]

@@Selfsufficientme Yeah it's kind of nuts, lol. I always say I'm going to cut back and then I get a new variety and start breeding it along with all the others, it's a never ending cycle, 😂 It's way to much time and work, but I love it.

[@heidigib01]

Very nice! You might want to lay some mesh on the perimeter and secure it so critters can’t dig right at the edges. Or lay a couple blocks down all around the perimeter. Some critters dig under the fence, but most wont try even a foot back. If you have digging predators.

[@slamrock17]

This looks surprisingly good and not just from a performance standpoint. I will be making one in a similar way now that I see how great yours is.

[@jamesbachand8046]

Love your videos Mark! And the chicken ranch is awesome. We pay extra for the rustic touches. Not easy to find in Houston, Texas. Too citified. But I love the rustic look and love your ingenuity. You are adorable too. Not everyone gets such joy out of their handiwork. You are blessed with imagination and the skill to make it work. Keep up the good work and keep sharing with us!

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Linda! 🙂👍

[@thenickfoxx]

Love the build, Mark. Really leaning towards purchasing a few hens for the property here. ONLY thing i would have done differently is the roof of the chicken run. I would have secured the mesh to the outside of the framework so that a crafty fox or any reptile weighing more than 10 pounds could not use their body weigh to get through the mesh secured from beneath the frame work.. if that makes sense? Love the channel Mark you have inspired me to start me own garden and quite possibly get a few hens running around here. Watching from the mountains of Alberta, Canada.

[@LDhusky]

Great use of materials available. Hat off to you

[@ritamcpherson112]

Thankyou for posting this video. I am no carpenter either, and I am literally in the process of trying to prepare a larger space for my chickens too. I got such encouragement from you, I'm ready to go out and tackle the job right now! Thanks again, I always enjoy your videos. 💜🙏👍💜

[@stephenthompson5661]

Bloody good job. Best I’ve seen. Thanks for the inspiration Mark.

[@kelly-mariewilliams441]

Brilliant. Planning to move to the Daintree or Mossman. This is fantastic advice.

[@lynnpurfield9430]

Love this Mark, what a great idea to use logs. We made our chicken run from bought in timber and made the house from bought in timber. We had to abandon it 6 years ago because of red mite as we couldnt control that. We used it for a decade at least. It's still standing now and used for storage until I no longer see mites. I think they love nooks and crannies of any wood that is a bit rough. I've started making housing and runs that are smooth and painted so I can see those little b's. Our chuck preditors are rats and foxes. We dug about 2 foot down around the pen and buried the chicken wire which sorted the foxes but doesn't fox the rats.

[@lindacooper4893]

I think it looks great but you still crack me up with your comments. I wish I could have my chooks again 👍

[@figspigsandfeathers8179]

Great run build! Anything that keeps the predators hungry and away from the chickens. Snakes, raccoons, possums, dogs, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and minks have all been deadly predators for our chickens. There are others in the woods here in north Arkansas that also could be a problem. Like the bear you mention in your notes. So far, the bear has only taken our bird feeder off our deck and left the chickens alone.

[@jaderatliff179]

This is great!! Being able to open it from the inside is definitely the kind of thing I'd forget 😂 Very helpful!

[@129kittykati]

I just want to say thank you so much for you videos. They really help newbies like me learn things my family cant teach me.

[@VertDerFerkMom]

Lol, Mark! "Artwork". Thanks for the tour!

[@edenliddle-dalzell3089]

Love the improvising funny here in NZ we don't need to worry about so many predators

[@cazmarsh6395]

I love the chicken coop it looks true Australian chicken coop 🥰👍 I used a dog pen for mine it’s about 20 meters by 10 meters, I made laying boxes out of buckets with a little bit of plastic mesh along the front and hose cut off to stop it being sharp.

[@Selfsufficientme]

Good stuff well done! 🙂👍

[@Will030890]

Good looking coop/run way to Wing it!! Haha