Chicken runs

Build or buy a covered run walled with 1/2-inch hardware cloth, with a buried or 2-foot-wide apron to stop diggers, giving about 10 square feet per standard-size bird (about 5 for bantams, 12 for large breeds). Give more room if the flock never free-ranges.

Which run does what

TypeGivesUse it for

Attached walk-in runseamless coop access and easy maintenanceThe usual backyard setup: easy to feed, clean and let birds in and out of the coop. Many kits come with thin chicken wire, so plan to add hardware cloth.Amazon ↗
Standalone perimeter runflexible layout options and expansion spaceProperties where the coop sits inside a larger fenced enclosure or where you want to move the grazing zone periodically.Amazon ↗
Mobile chicken tractor runfresh ground access and natural rotationSmall flocks moved often across lawn or pasture for fresh forage while staying enclosed.Amazon ↗
Uncovered chicken wire runavoidlittle protection from predatorsAvoid. Chicken wire is easy for raccoons and dogs to tear or reach through, and an open top leaves birds exposed to hawks and climbers.

Sizing: Provide about 10 square feet of run per standard-size chicken, about 5 for bantams, and 12 for large breeds like Brahmas and Jersey Giants. If the birds never free-range, give extra room beyond these minimums.

What each animal's guide calls for

From the checklists on each care guide, so this table and those pages always agree.

AnimalRunReadingTypical price

Backyard chickenWalk-in covered run · 1/2-inch hardware cloth (19 gauge, 36 in x 50 ft)48×48×48 in$205–$510
Backyard duckWalk-in covered run · 1/2-inch hardware cloth (19 gauge, 36 in x 50 ft)72×48×36 in$205–$510

How to choose

01Calculate your total space requirementsAllow about 10 square feet per standard hen in the run. Crowded birds are more likely to peck and pull feathers.
02Select 1/2-inch welded hardware clothRaccoons, foxes and dogs can tear or reach through chicken wire. Hardware cloth keeps them out, and 1/4-inch mesh also stops weasels.
03Cover the topSecurely fastened netting stops hawks and owls. Welded wire or a solid roof also stops raccoons and other climbers, and is needed if birds stay in the run at night.
04Add a digging barrierBury hardware cloth at least 12 inches deep, or lay a 2-foot-wide apron flat on the ground around the outside, so diggers hit mesh instead of getting under the wall.
05Plan for drainage and a dust bathChoose a spot that doesn't flood and use ground cover like coarse sand or wood chips so the run stays dry. Chickens also need dry, loose soil or sand to dust-bathe, which helps them keep mites and lice down.

Common mistakes

Using chicken wire instead of hardware cloth, which allows raccoons to reach through and dogs or coyotes to tear the mesh open.
Skipping the buried mesh or apron, so foxes and dogs can dig under the run walls.
Leaving the top open, or using loose netting where raccoons can climb, which leaves birds exposed to hawks and climbing predators. Netting can also collapse under snow.
Letting the run turn to mud, which leads to foot problems, smells, parasites and dirty eggs.
Leaving no dry spot for dust bathing, which makes it harder for birds to keep mites and lice under control.

Questions people ask

Is chicken wire okay to use for a chicken run?

No, traditional chicken wire is designed only to keep chickens inside, not to keep predators out. Raccoons can reach through the wide hexagonal gaps, and larger predators like dogs or coyotes can easily bite through or rip the thin wire open. Use 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth instead.

How does a predator digging apron work?

An apron is a strip of hardware cloth about 2 feet wide, fixed to the bottom of the run wall and laid flat on the ground outside. A predator digging at the wall hits the mesh and gives up. Pin it down with landscape staples and cover it with soil or mulch. Burying the mesh at least 12 inches straight down works too.

What is the best ground cover for a chicken run?

Coarse sand or untreated wood chips drain well and stay cleaner. Bare clay or fine dirt turns to mud in the rain, which leads to foot problems, smells and parasites. Leave a dry, covered spot of loose soil or sand for dust bathing.

Should I let my chickens free-range or keep them in the run?

Free-ranging gives exercise and variety but exposes birds to hawks, dogs and foxes. A covered run keeps them safe. A good middle ground is a mobile tractor or supervised free-ranging while you're outside, with the flock locked in the coop every night.