Chickens love to scratch, dust bathe and forage. A run lets them do it safely.
Free ranging sounds lovely until a fox shows up or your garden disappears. A good run fixes both problems.
The difference between a great run and a risky one comes down to three things. The wire, the latch and what is buried around the edge.
These 15 DIY chicken run cheap ideas cover every budget, from PVC and pallets to a free trampoline frame.
1Cover the Run with Hardware Cloth
Chicken wire keeps chickens in. It does not keep predators out. Hardware cloth does.
Use half inch hardware cloth and staple it every 6 inches so nothing can peel it back. Wear gloves, since cut edges are sharp.
- Most important step
- Half inch mesh
- Staple every 6 inches
Project Card · 1 day · Medium
Materials Needed
- Half inch hardware cloth
- Heavy duty fencing staples or screws with washers
- Staple gun or hammer
- Wire cutters
- Thick work gloves
How to Make It
- Cut hardware cloth to fit each wall and the roof.
- Staple the top edge first to hold the panel in place.
- Pull it tight and staple down the sides and along the bottom.
- Place staples no more than 6 inches apart on every frame piece.
- Fold sharp cut edges inward so no wire ends poke into the run.
My Pick
Hardware Cloth Wire Mesh
Half inch mesh that stops raccoons, weasels and foxes.
2Build a PVC Pipe Chicken Run
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PVC is cheap, light and easy. Two people can move the whole run.
These PVC connectors build a full frame with no tools. Attach hardware cloth with zip ties every 6 inches.
- Beginner build
- No tools
- Movable
My Pick
PVC Connector Kit for a Chicken Run
Push fit corners and tees for a tool free run frame.
3Install a Predator Proof Door Latch
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Raccoons can open hooks and simple bolts. The latch is your weakest point.
This predator proof latch needs two steps to open. Add a second latch lower down for night security.
- Raccoon proof
- Two step action
- Double up at night
My Pick
Predator Proof Door Latch
A two step latch raccoon hands cannot open.
4Hang a Feeder Inside the Run
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A hanging feeder keeps feed dry and off the ground, away from mice and wild birds.
Hang this hanging feeder at chicken back height and raise it as the flock grows.
- Dry feed
- Less waste
- No rodents
My Pick
Hanging Chicken Feeder
Keeps feed off wet ground and away from rodents.
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No more refilling water twice a day.
This automatic waterer uses nipple drinkers that chickens cannot fill with dirt. Plan one nipple for every 3 to 4 birds.
- Always fresh
- Less chores
- Clean water
My Pick
Automatic Chicken Waterer
Nipple drinkers that stay clean and refill themselves.
6Add Nesting Boxes to the Run
Boxes reachable from the run let hens lay without going back to the coop.
Mount this nesting box about 18 inches off the ground in the darkest, quietest corner.
- Private laying
- Dark corner
- Easy egg access
My Pick
Chicken Nesting Box
Ready to mount box at the right size for laying hens.
7Repurpose a Trampoline Frame
An old trampoline frame is already round, strong and the right size for a small flock.
Remove the springs and mat, wrap the sides and top in hardware cloth and add a door.
- Often free
- Strong frame
- Quick build
8Build a Movable Chicken Tractor
A chicken tractor moves to fresh grass every day or two. No bare dirt patches.
Build a light frame with handles, cover it in hardware cloth and leave the bottom open.
- Fresh grass
- Lawn friendly
- Lightweight
Project Card · 1 weekend · Medium
Materials Needed
- 2×2 lumber
- Hardware cloth
- Exterior screws
- Small hinged door and a predator proof latch
- Rope or wood handles
- Shade cloth for part of the roof
How to Make It
- Build a light A frame or box frame about 4 by 8 feet.
- Cover the sides and top in hardware cloth.
- Add a small hinged door with a secure latch.
- Fix handles to one end so two people can lift it.
- Cover part of the top with shade cloth and move it daily to fresh grass.
9Build a Pallet Wood Chicken Run
Upright pallets wired together make free or nearly free walls.
Use only HT stamped pallets and cover the gaps with hardware cloth on the inside.
- Almost free
- HT pallets only
- Cover the gaps
10Attach the Run to the Coop
An attached run lets hens go in and out through the pop door on their own.
An automatic coop door closes at night, so nobody forgets to lock the flock in.
- Easy daily routine
- Pop door access
- Auto closing
My Pick
Automatic Chicken Coop Door
Opens and closes the pop door on schedule so hens are locked in at night.
11Use Deep Litter on the Floor
Bare soil turns into smelly mud. A thick layer of wood chips stays drier.
Spread at least 6 inches of wood chips and top it up instead of replacing it.
- Less mud
- Less smell
- Natural scratching
12Add a Dust Bath Area
Dust bathing keeps mites and lice away naturally.
Fill a low box with sand and fine dry soil in a covered corner so it stays dry.
- Healthy feathers
- Natural mite control
- Keep it dry
13Build a Simple A Frame Run
Two sloping sides meet at the top and form walls and roof in one.
It sheds rain on both sides and uses less lumber than a box run.
- Simple build
- Sheds rain
- Less lumber
14Bury a Wire Apron Against Diggers
Foxes and dogs dig under walls. A buried wire apron stops them.
Run hardware cloth 12 inches down and 12 inches out around the whole run.
- Stops diggers
- Whole perimeter
- Big safety upgrade
Project Card · 1 day · Medium
Materials Needed
- Hardware cloth 24 inches wide
- Spade
- Fencing staples
- Landscape pins
- Thick gloves
How to Make It
- Dig a trench about 12 inches deep along the outside of the run walls.
- Attach the top edge of the hardware cloth to the bottom of the run frame.
- Run it straight down into the trench.
- Bend the last 12 inches outward, flat along the trench bottom or ground.
- Pin it down, backfill the soil and pack it firm.
15Add Branch Perches Inside the Run
Perches at different heights give lower ranked hens a place to escape bullies.
Natural branches are better for chicken feet than smooth round dowels.
- Less bullying
- Natural branches
- Healthy feet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to build a chicken run?
A PVC frame, pallets or a free trampoline frame, all covered with hardware cloth. Never cheap out on the wire or latches.
Is chicken wire strong enough for a run?
No. Chicken wire keeps chickens in but predators can tear through it. Use half inch hardware cloth.
How big should a chicken run be?
Aim for at least 10 square feet per chicken. Build bigger than you need, since flocks tend to grow.
How do I stop predators digging into the run?
Bury a hardware cloth apron 12 inches down and 12 inches out around the whole run.
Does a chicken run need a roof?
A covered roof stops hawks and climbing predators. Make at least part of it solid for shade and rain cover.
Final Thoughts on DIY Chicken Run Cheap Ideas
A well built run keeps your flock safe and your garden intact. It is the best money you will spend on backyard chickens.
Use the right wire, fit strong latches from day one and bury an apron. Then build a little bigger than you think you need.
Amir Ali is the founder and site administrator of HomeDecorEdge, a modern home decor and interior design platform. Since starting the site, he has combined his passion for interior design, practical styling, and color coordination with hands-on content strategy and site management. He guides authors, curates high-quality articles, and ensures readers have access to actionable, visually inspiring, and user-focused home decor advice for apartments, small rooms, and family homes.