We dug a trench on the outside. The run itself is made of welded wire but we cut chicken wire so that it could go under with half inside and half out.
We clipped the inside half up to the welded wire.
The outside half we buried in the trench. This should keep anything from being able to dig in.
We did the same thing in front of the coop to keep anything from coming from under the chicken house into the pen.
We stapled the top half to the boards, just under the chicken door.
We buried the bottom half to keep any sharp edges from hurting the chickens and to strengthen the wire wall we created.
Under the gate we couldn't really use the same technique so we just buried the chicken wire.
Then we covered the whole pen with chicken wire, using stakes down the middle to give it support. This is the view from the end.
I don't know how many of these clips we used but I guarantee this wire is not coming apart.
Sarah gives you an idea of how high the ceiling of the run is.
This is a picture of the stakes down the middle. I bet this grass won't last long.
We have temporarily put up tarps for shade until we figure out where the shelter needs to be.
When it came time to allow the girls into their new playroom they needed a little coaxing.
They were curious but just not sure.
They eventually started pushing each other out and the ones that held back, well, I helped them out a bit.
When out, they weren't sure what to do.
Soon they realized that there was things to be discovered, like bugs and worms and grass. Yum!
Oh, and dust baths under the board walk are pretty awesome too.
Then the kids went in to socialize with the girls.
Daniel loves all the chickens and likes how soft they are.
They pick them up one by one to check them over and reassure them that it is all good.
Then it is time to get down on their level.
Lots of petting and bonding.
Slowly the girls felt comfortable enough to venture out and explore.
That is until one of them decided she wanted to go back inside.
So Miss Sarah obliged by clipping the door open for her.
Others followed. But quickly learned they could come and go at will.
Sarah and Zelda take a moment to pose for the camera.
Then it was time to introduce the dogs to the chickens. This friendship may take a while.
Sunshine is on her choke chain as Sarah puts one chicken on the roost in front of the dogs.
Dixie thought the chick was cool, Sunny only saw a snack.
Sarah comforted the test chick and made sure she knew she was safe.
In the end, the chicks knew who ruled the roost.
