Building DIY Chicken Runs
Five things to consider before
building chicken runs
When you plan to build a Chicken Run by yourself, there are some important aspects to think of before you start.
These are:
> Weather Resistance
> Placement
> Ease of Access
> Security
> Comfort
Weather resistance
Depending on the local climate your choice of building materials for your chicken runs is very important. For instance: Plywood works fine in a dry climate, but is extremely sensitive ( and therefore weak) in humid areas or in places where there are massive temperature swings.
The more expensive hardwood is less affected by weather and temperature changes. Whatever choice of materials you use, it’s always good to paint and/or varnish your chicken run.
A good structure plan could keep your material expences down. That’s why I recommend a proper chicken coop plan.
Placement
Keep stress levels low. Chickens do stress a lot and easily. Therefore place your chicken runs well away from your living and sleeping quarters (this will help to reduce your stress levels too 
). Also try to keep young children and pets away from your hens. Their presence seriously affects the egg production.
Keep your chicken runs and coops away from open water sources like sprinklers or drainage canals. Humidity is bad for hygiene. It attracts bugs, lice and other vermin. Not to mention salmonella bacteria.
Ease of Access
Access to the nesting area in your chicken runs has to be as stress-less for you and your chickens as possible. Their nesting area is the holiest of holy, so make sure that there is enough space and that the nests are clearly separated from the feeding area. Breakfast in bed for chickens is a bad idea.. Easy access is also important for cleaning purposes.
Security
When life in your chicken run goes about peacefully and naturally, egg production and quality will be at its best. Although it is sad to say, intrusion by predators or noisy pets and kids is inevitable. Somehow, sometime this will happen.
That’s why keeping a padlock on your Chicken Coop is a good idea. And against diggers I dug a one foot deep trench around my own Chicken Run and filled it with garden tiles.
Do not place your Chicken Runs out in the open. If you have no choice but to do so, surround the structure with some pot plants for shade, coolness and a sense of security for your hens.
Comfort
A comfy chicken is a happy chicken! Keep the nesting area as draft-free and dry as possible. Plenty of space with hay or saw dust is a must. One note to saw dust: Chicks consider anything that fits in their beaks as food. Sawdust is a poor choice of food and may kill your chicks. So if you have new-borns, the proper furniture for your chicken run nesting area is hay.
A final word of advice
If you want to have chicken runs with healthy and happy chickens, getting these five aspects right is essential. With the right coop design four out of five essentials are covered. All you need to do is put your DIY chicken runs into the right place.
