Last Sunday Barry and I spent the majority of the day digging a trench around the two sides of the chicken run that separate it from the rest of the yard. Then we attached chicken wire to the inside of the chicken run, pulled it under the fence, and buried it in the trench. The chicken wire is buried between 8-10 inches in the ground.
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This will keep the dogs and other predators from being able to easily dig under the chain link fence to get after the chickens. Here is a closer picture of it, since the chicken wire is difficult to see.
We also installed top rails across the top of the run to support the chicken wire we would use to cover the run. Then on Tuesday evening Barry got to work laying the chicken wire across the top of the run.
Having the cover on top serves a dual purpose. It protects the chicken from predators, such as hawks, but it also keeps the chickens from being able to fly out. They’re not very good fliers, but they’re good enough to get over the 5 foot fence.
You can keep them from being able to get out by clipping their wings, but I didn’t want to have to do that. I decided the cover was the best option, since it both keeps them in and keeps predators out.
The chickens enjoyed some more fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew, and apple scraps), which we first introduced to them last week. They have now learned that the blue bowl we put the scraps in means there’s a treat coming and they get excited when we carry it out to the coop. Lastly, here is a picture of them this week to show you how they continue to grow:
It’s getting harder to get a good picture of them because they seem to never stop moving!
This week we have plans to finish the covering on the top of the chicken run. As I have mentioned before, once this is done the chickens will have free access to the run area during the day. Currently we let them access it in the evening when we are home. Once the sun sets they usually go back in the coop on their own to go to sleep and all I have to do is go out and close the coop door for the night. I’m expecting this trend to continue when they have full access to the run area throughout the day.
Did you know that chickens can fly but are not really great fliers?
Turkey Runner 
Nope, I did NOT know that.Did you know turkeys are the fastest short-distance fliers? :)[Since we’re trading bird facts and all!]What is their favorite fruit/veggie treat? Can you tell, or do they just dive-bomb everything with enthusiasm?
I did not know that! I randomly have more bird facts in today’s (6/3) post. They seem to like strawberries best, but it’s hard to tell because they pretty much attack the bowl when Barry or I put it down for them.
Who would have thought that so much work was required to keep chickens safe (and contained)
Tell me about it! 🙂
And from Chicken Run:Rocky: You see, flying takes three things: Hard work, perseverance and… hard work. Fowler: You said “hard work” twice. Rocky: That’s because it takes twice as much work as perseverance. LUD.
Let’s hope my chickens aren’t as keen to escape as the ones from Chicken Run. Since I don’t run a chicken pot pie factory, I think I’ll be alright 🙂
My friends have chickens and she talks about how much they LOVE melon! They are definitely getting big–wow!!
They seem to really love the leftover flesh and seeds from melons and the tops of strawberries.
Yes, I knew that chickens were pathetic flyers, but I certainly didn’t know how much work you were going to have to do to keep them safe. They are getting past their gawky teenager look and becoming very nice looking!
I didn’t plan on so much work, haha. I think we are planning on getting more chicks next spring, so we are putting the work in now to build a sturdy coop/chicken run area that will hold up. I tell them every day how pretty they are 🙂