A coop with run answers two questions at once: where do the chickens sleep and where can they roam safely during the day. On this page you will see when a ready-made combination is handy and when you are better off putting a separate run next to or around your existing coop.
Combination or separate: what suits you?
A set in which the coop and run are attached is quick to put up and has no gaps between the two parts. The downside: the run does not grow with you if your flock gets bigger. A separate run gives more freedom. You can build it around a coop you already have, or extend it later. If you already have a good night coop, you often only need a sturdy run.
Now in the range: the Cucciolotta Polly Run
The Cucciolotta Polly Run is currently available: a free-standing chicken run of about 300 by 300 centimetres and over two metres high, so you can walk in it upright. The frame is powder-coated steel with 25 by 25 millimetre mesh; the roof is a polyethylene cover that keeps out rain and strong sunlight. You put a separate night coop inside it or against it, effectively putting together your own coop with run.
What to watch for with a run attached to the coop
- Connection: the transition from coop to run must be sealed; a gap of a few centimetres is enough for a rat or weasel.
- Cover: a solid roof keeps the ground drier and prevents contact with wild birds, which matters under a housing order during bird flu.
- Base: lay mesh horizontally along the outer edge or bury it, so a fox cannot get under it.
- Door: a full-height door makes feeding, refreshing water and cleaning more pleasant.
For separate nets and enclosures, also see runs and enclosures. Look for a night coop in coops for small flocks or coops for five or more chickens. Back to the coop and run overview.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Polly Run include a coop?
No, the Polly Run is a separate run. You place your own night coop inside it or against it.
Is a run with a mesh roof enough under a housing order?
Under a housing order, chickens must be shielded from wild birds and their droppings. A run with a solid, waterproof cover meets that better than mesh alone. Check the current rules with the relevant authority in your country.
How do I stop a fox digging under the run?
Bury the mesh or lay a strip of mesh flat on the ground along the outside of the run. A fox starts digging right against the wall and then hits the flat mesh.