THE CHUNNEL: THE CHICKEN TUNNEL

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Here’s a visual tour.

This is at the back of my suburban homestead.  I am standing right next to the coop.

To the left of the coop is the run.  For a year this was all the space the chickens had and I knew they needed more room.  On top of the run is a new addition…it is my lettuce box.  It provides shade for the chickens and protects them from the rain so they can still be outside.  I can grow on top of the run without losing any space.  Space is a premium here in the suburbs.  I had to figure out how to give the chickens more room without taking anymore garden space.  If we extended this run to the left, it would sit right on top of one of my prime growing areas.  So here is our solution:  a chunnel.  That’s right…a chicken tunnel.

Directly to the left of the run is the juncture where the chunnel connects to the run.

Then we travel more to the left…you see the chunnel behind my pea trellis and some chickens looking for some treats.

Then the chunnel turns the corner and heads down the western side of my yard along the fence.  I had such weeds that grew here…and now you can see not a single thing is left growing!!!

And here is the scene that causes me the most amount of joy!!!!  Every time this happens I giggle like a school girl.  All I have to do is call the girls and they come a runnin’!!!!  I am at the very end of the chunnel.  They run like there is no tomorrow and it is so fun to watch! (note: do you see there is no longer one green thing along the side of the fence!)

This side of the yard gives them lovely shade in the heat of the afternoon.  I have to say, living in the suburbs I have to protect them from lots of critters…we have foxes and birds of prey everywhere.  This is as close to free range as we can get for them and they don’t need supervision.  The chunnel is very secure and they are indeed much happier!!!

This is the very end of the chunnel and it has been fun showing you our solution of adding more room without taking much space!  Hope you have enjoyed this post.

 


14 thoughts on “THE CHUNNEL: THE CHICKEN TUNNEL

  1. I am wanting to construct Chunnel and need directions. Can someone point me in the right direction?

  2. My fencing bottom is buried and anchored with “U” stakes that are used in holding down drip irrigation systems.

  3. I enjoy your amaizing concept. I love to to have some “girls” but i was afraid of the pest around, but with this idea, i feel so encourage to make one on my own. thank you

  4. So how is this tunnel anchored into the ground? I plan to build it around the perimeter of my yard this summer. It looks like you used a stronger fencing first then covered it with chicken wire?

  5. really like your like idea plan on using it thanks..Live on farm but got coons that like chickens ..

  6. Oh gosh, thank you so much for sharing what a fabulous idea! I love the visual of them all racing down the chicken tunnel clucking and peeping when you call.

  7. At first, I thought you people stole my blog post. I went back and saw that you had SOURCE (originally, I thought this was left blank) and I am glad to see it links to my blog. Sorry about the email. I am very proud of this chunnel…this was my 40th birthday gift from my husband!!!! No, the chunnel is not buried. If you have problems with burrowing creatures, then by all means, put down some chicken wire. Our chunnel was the least amount of effort for the biggest amount of effectiveness. I only need to worry about birds of prey here, but in other regions, there needs to be more protection. My hens are extremely happy and this takes up so little amount of space while increasing their space to roam protected!

  8. Ok the running chickens made me laugh out loud! We always had chickens growing up and I loved their personalities and how they would would run home when called lol! Your set up would also work, with some minor adaptations, for people who want their cats to go outside for air and sunlight but still be kept safe.

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