A protected, durable Chicken Run is an integral part of building a chicken coop to ensure your chickens have a safe place to exercise and forage around for treats such as bugs and insects.
Unless you have a large safe area with no predators, then you are better off ensuring your chickens are protected with a fenced chicken run.
Generally eight to ten feet per chicken is the budgeted size for chicken coop designs, although this can be less for some smaller coop designs.
Ideally you would have more or reduce the number of chickens you keep in your coop to keep stress levels at a minimum.
Make sure your fence is high enough not just to keep the chickens in, but also to keep other predators such as dogs out.
If possible also put a top wire cover on to provide maximum protection.
Build a fence with the most durable products you can.
It should withstand the weight and strength of predators around you, otherwise you could lose not just your investment in your chicken run, but also your chickens themselves.
As well as building high, go deep so your chickens are protected from predators such as rats that may dig to enter the coop.
Try to check your chicken coop and run at least once a month.
Do a full walk around and make sure there are no holes, or wire that has been gnawed upon which may weaken your run.
Finally, chickens love fresh grass, so if you have a mobile chicken coop and run, try to move it around regularly to give your backyard fresh fertilizer but also a break to protect your yard from becoming a muddy mess.
This will also ensure your chickens get a good variety of treats to eat!