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Best Chicken Runs for 2022

The chicken run that you buy for your flock needs to be an investment piece for several reasons.

Not only will it need to keep your chickens safe and secure when they can’t be watched, but it is likely to be the weakest link when it comes to protecting them from predators (and protecting your plants).

For most owners, the chicken run will attach to the coop. This allows the chickens to come and go as they please, with the door only being closed at night. This means that your chickens could be in danger at any point.

So, spending that bit more should help with better quality wire and build. When choosing the size of an outdoor run, a minimum of around 8 to 10 square feet per chicken is ideal. This is around 0.7 square meters. Larger runs will usually cost a bit more, but it will be worth it for the happiness of your hens.

To get the best run for your chickens, ask yourself how many chickens you have, and where the run will be placed in your garden. Remember they need space and the ability to dig. They also shouldn’t be in direct sunlight or under inclement weather, so the run may have to be moved occasionally.

Runs need good ventilation and lighting. You may also want a cover that can protect them from drizzles or sunlight.

Below are the best ready-made chicken runs you can buy. Some also come with a chicken coop if you are a complete beginner.

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    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Omlet Walk In Chicken Run
    • Can customise with a porch/cover
    • Can also buy a partition to separate chickens
    Check Price
    FeelGoodUK Walk in Pet Cage
    • Strong galvanised steel
    • Hegaxonal PVC coated wire mesh
    Check Price
    Pets Imperial Savoy Large Chicken Coop With Run
    • Suitable for multiple small chickens
    • Generous nest box
    Check Price

    The Top Chicken Runs Reviewed

    1.
    Omlet Walk In Chicken Run

    Omlet changed the game when it came to keeping chickens. Their all-in-one plastic coops meant that even those of us in towns with a small garden could keep feathered friends, and this run is no different.

    It is walk-in, so easy for you to maintain. It is also fox-proof as standard, so you don’t have to stress making it into something a bit more substantial. If you have an Omlet chicken run, it works alongside it, so they can go from roost to roam, whenever they want.

    You can also connect it to wooden outdoor coops with ease, or if you buy the larger sizes, you can leave your coop within the run so they have an all-in-one home.

    Another great thing about this chicken run is that you can preconfigure your own size. It starts off at W2.2 x H1.15  x L2.2m, but you can go up to 2.05m height (which makes it walk-in), 7.2m length and 2.7m width. Just in case you want your chicken’s house to be as good as yours.

    The green colour will blend into your garden seamlessly, and the door lock works from both sides while being incredibly strong and secure. A stable door will also come in handy when you go to feed them but don’t want them running past your ankles.

    Features

    • Can customise with a porch/cover
    • Can also buy a partition to separate chickens

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 2.2 x 1.15 x 2.2m
    • Material: Wire
    • Colour: Green

    2.
    FeelGoodUK Walk in Pet Cage

    If you’ve got quite a large amount of chickens, you’ve probably realised very quickly that your coop just isn’t big enough. And for those circumstances, you need a large scale chicken coop, one that’s 2.8m x 3m, perhaps?

    This chicken coop is certainly large enough to let your birds roam free, and since it’s made from rust-resistant, galvanised steel, it’s sturdy enough as well. There are also bracing bars for enhanced durability and stability and a latched door for added security.

    If you’re not a DIY fan, you’ll be happy to know that the frame is a click and lock design allowing for a fast set-up and minimal use of bolts, screws and tools, for added convenience.

    Features

    • Strong galvanised steel
    • Hegaxonal PVC coated wire mesh

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 2.8m x 3m
    • Material: Steel Wire
    • Colour: Silver

    3.
    Pets Imperial Savoy Large Chicken Coop With Run

    This W150 x D100 x H96cm coop comes with a 1.4m run, making it a nice length and perfect if you want everything together.

    There is a handy nest box, which you can lift the lid off for easy access to the eggs without having to disturb your chickens or risk an escape. 6 compartments and four perches will mean there is enough room for a couple of chickens.

    Made from timber, it has been treated with animal-friendly products, although will need regular maintenance to protect against rot and mites. The feet of the coop is covered by rot free adjustable plastic cap, although this does mean it sits up a bit so building a skirt or extending the wire down into the ground would be good.

    It comes flat packed, but the instructions for building it seem relatively simple and easy to follow.

    Features

    • Suitable for multiple small chickens
    • Generous nest box

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 2.9 x 1 x 0.9m
    • Material: Wood
    • Colour: Brown

    4.
    Cocoon Chicken Coop Hen House

    This isn’t the largest overall chicken habitat, but the 1.4m added run and 61cm x 110cm nest box both fit together really well in case you want something which is all-in-one.

    It has a double nest box, with round perches and a removable tray for cleaning. There’s also a door on the back of the house so it can easily be cleaned out.

    As mentioned, it isn’t the biggest. It is best for anyone who will still be able to let their chickens out and roam free range a lot of the time, but you can cut out one mesh panel and extend the run if you have space.

    The wood is treated but will need regular maintenance to keep it safe and weatherproof.

    Features

    • Two nest boxes
    • Weatherproof plastic roof

    Specifications

    • Dimensions: 1.52 x 2 x 0.1m
    • Material: Wood
    • Colour: Brown

    Buying Guide

    How we chose the best chicken runs on our list

    Hens like as much space as possible so they can forage, dig and explore. But you may not want to give them complete free rein of your garden because they can make a mess! We looked for runs which meet the minimum requirements advised by professionals.

    So, 8 to 10 square feet per hen is the absolute minimum you should look for. In meters, this is 0.74m. For a flock of three hens, look for anything over 24 square feet. If they have more space, they are less likely to fight or quarrel.

    If the run is temporary and they have the run of the garden during the day, they could cope with less.

    Next is material. You can buy plastic, metal or wooden chicken runs. Either way, the mesh must be strong metal to ensure it is fox-proof and won’t break or wear away over time. Wood can be substantial and safe, but does need treating regularly and can suffer from rot or mites, so isn’t the best long-term solution.

    Walk-in runs are our favourite style, as they make life that little bit easier for you. However, some which aren’t quite tall enough for a human are also available which could offer more ground cover if you have a large flock. But you need to ensure it is still tall enough for the chickens to jump, and that it is easy to access all parts for you.

    Other Buyers Ask...

    How do I connect my run to my chicken coop?

    You can buy connectors which attach an open part of the run to the coop, so the two parts are effectively separated and you can make the most use of the space. However, this is best done when the same manufacturer has made both parts; for example, the Omlet Eglu run is made to attach to one of their coops via a connector.

    An alternative is to buy a generously sized run and just leave your coop inside the run. This gives a good level of protection, as any predators would have to get through the run *and* the coop to get to your chickens at night, but it does also mean that your run would have to be super fox-proof.

    How do I make my run fox-proof?

    You have a couple of options.

    Just ensuring that the wire is strong isn’t good enough, as foxes can dig underneath, and a really hungry fox could even break through the wire. We would recommend either installing a wire skirt around the run which makes it impossible to dig underneath the walls, and also gives you extra leverage to fix the run to the ground via pegs.

    You can also sink the run or fence into the ground, as far as possible, again to stop them digging underneath. If you’re worried about them breaking through the wire, it could be worth doubling up on panels to make it more difficult for them to get through, and make the holes smaller.

    It is worth also trying to fox-proof your garden. Use scent repellents or sound repellents, and ensure they can’t get into the entire garden. This means checking under fences for digging opportunities, adding wire to any open fences or trellis, and placing heavy paving stones anywhere where they could dig.

    Foxes can get through holes just 12cm (5 in.) in diameter. You may want to place your coop and run inside another fox-proof enclosure, for double protection (and less likelihood that they will pick up the scent or see them).