🐔 From Coop to Table: Building the Ultimate Chicken Run

By Wesley Willis, Pettigrew Feed & Hardware

Raising backyard chickens isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement. Whether you're in it for fresh eggs, a little homestead pride, or just some feathered company that doesn’t hog the remote, building a chicken run is your first cluck in the right direction.

At Pettigrew Feed & Hardware, we’ve got everything you need to build a safe, cozy, and egg-ceptional chicken paradise. Let’s walk through it step by step.

🏡 Step 1: Coop Placement and Planning

Before you break ground—or scratch it—think location, location, location:

• Sun & Shade: Chickens love a sunny spot but need shade in summer.

• Drainage: Avoid low spots where water pools. A soggy chicken is a grumpy chicken.

• Protection: Pick a location that allows easy monitoring and access, away from predators.

👉 Pro Tip: Draw up a quick sketch and bring it to the store—we’ll help match materials to your space and budget.

🛠️ Step 2: Materials You’ll Need

From posts to poultry netting, here’s your shopping list:

• Pressure-treated 2x4s or 4x4s for framing

• Galvanized hardware cloth (½-inch is best to keep raccoons out)

• Hinges and latches (predator-proof!)

• Roofing material (polycarbonate panels or metal sheets)

• Ground stakes or pavers to secure the run

• Poultry staples, screws, and other fasteners

Need help hauling lumber? We offer local delivery right to your roost-in-progress.

🧰 Step 3: Build Like a Bird Boss

1. Frame It: Build a rectangular or square frame for the base. Level it out and anchor securely.

2. Wire It: Attach hardware cloth to the sides, burying the bottom 12" into the ground or laying it flat outward to stop diggers.

3. Cover It: A roof keeps hawks out and hens dry. Plus, you’ll thank yourself in Ohio’s rainy months.

4. Access Points: Add a human-size door (you’ll need to get in there!), and a chicken door to connect the coop.

🐥 Optional Extras: Dust bathing box, roosting bars, and a swing (yes, chickens love them).

🌽 Step 4: Feed, Water & Flock Accessories

Once your chicken Taj Mahal is up, it’s time to furnish:

• Gravity feeders and heated waterers

• Scratch grain, layer feed, and grit

• Pine shavings or straw for bedding

• Toys and treats (we carry dried mealworms—basically chicken candy)

Stop in and ask our staff what our flock recommends. We’ve got egg-sperts on hand.

🌾 Step 5: From Coop to Table

There’s nothing quite like gathering your first farm-fresh eggs. They’re richer, creamier, and you know those hens were loved.

Whether you’re just starting your backyard flock or upgrading to a palace fit for a poultry queen, Pettigrew Feed & Hardware is here to help every step of the way.

💬 Got Chicken Questions?

Post them in the comments, or visit us in Edinburg! We’ll talk chicken, share tips, and maybe show off a few pics of our own birds (we’re proud poultry parents too).

Visit our store or shop online at pettigrew-online.com to get started on your chicken run today.

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