Our "Chunnel" (aka Chicken Tunnel)

If you read my post, “The Chicken Run – Part 2: What I Wish I Had Done the First Time,” you’ll know that one of the things I ought to have incorporated from the beginning was a larger chicken run.  At the time, I just sort of assumed that the 9’x11’ space I set aside would be enough.  Those chicks looked so small; and I wasn’t sure how many of the 5 would indeed be girls and not a rooster that would have to be relocated.  As luck would have it, all 5 of my peeps did turn out to be female.  So, when they grew to their full adult size, and the pecking order asserted itself, it became clear in year 2 that more room would equal more peace among them.  The problem was, our yolk factory was located at the back corner of the property with no obvious area to expand.  Then I came across how Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper fame built a “chunnel” around the perimeter of their vegetable garden, and I realized I could incorporate the same space-saving idea along a stretch of fence line!

You’ll see from the photos that we enclosed the entire chunnel space in hardware cloth – top, bottom, and all sides.  As with our original chicken run area, I knew doing so would protect the birds from the coyotes, bobcats, hawks and rodents in our area when they couldn’t free range.  More about this here.

The hardware cloth is fastened to the existing fence on one side, and to additional hog wire fence panels attached to new metal fence posts on the other.  Using the fencing panels provided the necessary rigidity to ensure the chunnel wouldn’t collapse. Thanks to all the bushes on the back side, appearance from the rear also wasn’t a concern.  There are two entry gates into the space, one small one for the birds that connects to the original chicken run area; and a second, larger one for me to get in when necessary.  

The “roofing material” that keeps most of the rain and snow out is a continuous sheet of hard plastic donated to the cause by a generous neighbor. 

The chunnel has been open for over a year now, and it has proven to be a win-win addition.  The birds are definitely happier with more room to run, literally. (Ever see a chicken run?  It’s a crack up!)  The protected extension has also given the girls more access to sun light, particularly precious in our dark winter months, which means more eggs!

(For more ways to protect your peeps, check here.)