Top 15 DIY Chicken Run Cheap [Within Budget]

Are you looking for affordable and practical ways to build a chicken run? I know how important it is to give our feathered friends a safe and comfortable space without breaking the bank. 

If you’ve been struggling to find budget-friendly solutions, you’re in the right place. Here are 15 DIY chicken run ideas that are easy to build and won’t hurt your wallet.

Let’s dive into it!

DIY Chicken Run Cheap

A chicken run is a secure area where hens can roam freely while staying protected from predators.

It provides them with outdoor space to scratch, peck, and explore, which is vital for their health and happiness.

A well-designed run should have sturdy fencing to keep hens safe and enough space to prevent overcrowding.

Access to fresh grass or soil helps hens engage in natural behaviors, enhancing their physical and mental well-being. Proper maintenance ensures a clean and safe environment for your chickens.

1. Basic Wooden Frame Chicken Run

To build a sturdy and functional chicken run, you will need wooden posts, chicken wire, nails, hinges, screws, a hammer, a saw, measuring tape, a staple gun, and a door latch.

Begin by measuring and marking the area where the chicken run will be situated. Then, cut the wooden posts to your desired height and dig holes at each corner of the designated area.

Firmly place the posts into the holes and secure them with soil. Proceed to attach horizontal wooden beams to connect the posts, creating a solid frame.

Now, staple the chicken wire onto the frame, ensuring the wire is taut for maximum security.

Construct a door frame and attach it to one of the posts using hinges. Complete the project by adding a latch to the door to ensure it remains securely closed.

2. PVC Pipe Chicken Run

To construct the intricate and robust structure you envision, begin the procedure by meticulously measuring and cutting the PVC pipes to your specified length.

Then, assemble the frame with precision using the PVC connectors to ensure a stable foundation.

Once the frame is established, envelop it with chicken wire, securing it tightly in place with zip ties to eliminate any gaps or loose areas.

To complete the setup, fashion a door using additional PVC pipes and connectors, then affix the door to the frame securely using zip ties or hinges, ensuring ease of access and structural integrity.

This detailed approach guarantees a sturdy and reliable structure, ready for practical use.

3. A-Frame Chicken Run

To construct a reliable and sturdy A-frame structure, gather wooden beams, chicken wire, screws, hinges, a staple gun, a saw, and a measuring tape.

Begin by precisely cutting the wooden beams to form two symmetrical triangles. These triangles will serve as the foundational sides of your A-frame.

Then, connect these triangles using horizontal beams, ensuring a sturdy and balanced structure.

Securely staple the chicken wire to cover both sides of the A-frame, providing a durable and protective enclosure.

Create an accessible entry by constructing a door on one end of the frame, attaching it seamlessly with hinges.

Finally, add a latch to the door to ensure it remains secure and functional.

4. Portable Chicken Tractor

Start by constructing a sturdy rectangular base with wooden planks. Once the base is assembled, securely attach wheels to the underside to ensure easy mobility.

Then, build a solid frame on top of the base using additional wooden planks. Encase this frame with chicken wire, carefully stapling it in place for durability.

Now, create a small, functional door within the chicken wire enclosure, attaching it with robust hinges.

Finally, ensure the door is secure by adding a reliable latch. By following these detailed steps, you’ll create a mobile and secure structure that’s both practical and enduring.

5. Hoop House Chicken Run

Gather the pipes, rebar stakes, chicken wire, zip ties, measuring tape, PVC cutter, and scissors.

Now, drive the rebar stakes into the ground at measured intervals to establish a stable base.

Then, bend the PVC pipes over the stakes to form a sturdy hoop structure. Secure these pipes firmly to the stakes using zip ties.

Cover the entire structure with chicken wire, ensuring it is tightly secured with additional zip ties.

For accessibility, create a door by constructing a rectangular frame with extra PVC pipes and covering it with chicken wire.

Finally, attach this door to the main structure using either hinges or more zip ties, guaranteeing it is both functional and secure.

6. Garden Fence Chicken Run

To construct a secure and efficient garden run, you will need garden fence panels, chicken wire, zip ties, hinges, screws, and measuring tape.

Start by arranging the garden fence panels to form the desired shape of the run. Once the configuration is set, connect the panels using either zip ties or screws for sturdiness.

Any exposed areas should be covered with chicken wire, and firmly secured with zip ties to prevent any gaps.

For access, designate one panel to function as a door by attaching it with hinges. Finally, enhance security by adding a latch to the door, ensuring it stays closed when necessary.

7. Pallet Chicken Run

To construct a sturdy and functional chicken run, begin by arranging the wooden pallets to form the walls of the chicken run, ensuring they create a solid and supportive structure.

Secure the pallets together using screws to guarantee stability. Then, staple the chicken wire to the inside of the pallets, providing a secure enclosure to keep the chickens safe.

For the door, use an additional pallet and attach it with hinges for easy access. Finally, add a latch to the door to ensure it stays securely closed and your chickens remain protected.

This method is efficient, and reliable, and ensures the well-being of the chickens within their newly constructed run.

8. Bamboo Chicken Run

To construct a sturdy and efficient bamboo structure, gather bamboo poles, chicken wire, twine, scissors, measuring tape, and a staple gun.

The process begins by cutting the bamboo poles to your desired length. Then, arrange the poles vertically and tie them together with twine to form the walls.

Ensure that the bamboo poles are securely fastened at the top with additional twine. Proceed to cover the entire structure with chicken wire, which can be secured using twine or a staple gun for added stability.

Furthermore, create a door using extra bamboo poles and chicken wire and attach it using twine or hinges to complete your construction.

9. Garden Trellis Chicken Run

To construct a secure and functional garden run, begin by arranging the garden trellis panels to form the walls of the run.

Then, connect these panels using zip ties or screws for stability. Cover the assembled panels with chicken wire, ensuring it is tightly secured with zip ties to prevent any gaps.

To create an entry point, designate one panel as the door and attach it to the frame using hinges. Finally, install a latch on the door to ensure the run remains closed and secure.

10. Recycled Window Frame Chicken Run

To construct a practical and secure chicken run, gather old window frames, chicken wire, screws, hinges, a staple gun, and a measuring tape.

Start by arranging the old window frames to form the walls of the run, ensuring they are properly aligned.

Secure these frames together using screws to create a solid structure. Then, staple the chicken wire over the frames, ensuring there are no gaps through which chickens can escape or predators can enter.

For the door, use an additional window frame and attach it with hinges for ease of use. Finally, add a latch to the door, providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

11. Cattle Panel Chicken Run

To construct a secure and efficient chicken run, you will need cattle panels, chicken wire, zip ties, hinges, screws, and measuring tape.

Start by arranging the cattle panels to form the basic structure of the run. Once positioned correctly, connect the panels using zip ties or screws to ensure a sturdy frame.

Cover the panels with chicken wire, securing it firmly with zip ties to prevent any gaps.

For access, create a door by designating one of the panels and attaching it to the frame with hinges. Finally, enhance security by installing a sturdy latch, and making sure the door locks securely in place.

12. Willow Branch Chicken Run

To construct a robust and functional structure using willow branches, collect willow branches, chicken wire, twine, scissors, measuring tape, and a staple gun.

Begin by cutting the willow branches to your desired length. Then, arrange the branches vertically and tie them together with twine to form the walls of your structure.

Once the walls are assembled, secure the branches at the top with additional twine for added stability.

Cover the entire structure with chicken wire, ensuring it is securely attached using either twine or a staple gun.

To finish, create a door using additional willow branches and chicken wire, attaching it to the structure with either twine or hinges.

13. Old Door Chicken Run

Crafting a secure and efficient chicken run requires an old door, chicken wire, screws, hinges, a staple gun, and a measuring tape.

Begin by arranging the old doors to form the walls of the run, ensuring they fit together snugly.

Secure these doors firmly using screws to create a stable structure. Then, staple chicken wire over the doors to prevent any openings, ensuring your chickens remain safely enclosed.

For access, fashion a door from an additional old door and attach it with hinges for easy opening and closing.

Now, install a latch to the door for added security, ensuring that your chickens are safe from predators.

14. Corrugated Metal Chicken Run

Gather corrugated metal sheets, wooden posts, screws, chicken wire, a staple gun, and a measuring tape.

Begin by arranging the corrugated metal sheets to form the walls of the run, ensuring they fit tightly together to prevent gaps.

Secure these sheets to the wooden posts using screws, providing a sturdy framework. Then, staple chicken wire over any open areas to keep the chickens safely enclosed.

For the entrance, use an additional corrugated metal sheet to create a door, attaching it securely with hinges. Lastly, enhance the security of your run by adding a latch to the door.

15. Garden Arbor Chicken Run

Creating a secure and welcoming garden run requires a garden arbor, chicken wire, zip ties, hinges, screws, and measuring tape.

Begin by positioning the garden arbor to serve as the entrance to the run. Attach chicken wire to the arbor, securing it firmly with zip ties.

Proceed by extending the chicken wire from the arbor to form the sides and back of the run, ensuring that it is taut and secure.

To facilitate access, construct a door using additional chicken wire and attach it to the arbor with hinges. Lastly, for added security, install a latch to keep the door firmly closed.