Another run question!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
Hi all, sorry another quick question about runs.

The area I want to use is slabbed, but also has a part where there is just soil, do you think the chickens would be better off if we incorporated both parts into their run or just kept them on the slabs, topped with woodchips or bark?

Thank you, Ria :D
 
Hi Ria, well i would leave the soil- they will love it- digging for worms/grubs and having a good old dust bath :) it's more natural- although i know lots of people keep their chickens on slabs- the only problem is in the winter it will get muddy-(I don't have that problem-i have mud but my chickens are inside all of the winter- in big sheds 10x16) having said that -the wood chips/bark can get just as bad- so try to give then the biggest run you can- or two if it's big enough to split- then you can rest one while they use the other.
regards, David :)
 
I wont be able to have two runs unfortunately, though that is an excellent idea! The run will be covered on 3 sides so hopefully it wont get too wet in there, guess we'll see towards the end of the year though. :roll:
 
hi. my chooks run is just on slabs covered with woodchip. covered on 3 sides and a roof but does still get rather wet in winter. as long as its cleaned out regularly it shouldn't be to much of a problem though
 
Would putting a plastic sheet over the front of the open side be of any good (to help with the rain)? This is what I do with my ferrets shed, I cover the meshed window (its approx 3 x 2 ft).
 
Hi, Ria,
I'm no expert, but I can tell you what I've done.

My enclosure, 140 square foot, is on soil - it used to be grass, but that soon disappeared.

I got my girls mid February and the ground got muddy quite quickly , so I put the woodchip down. This has definitely helped, but it didn't really see that much action, how it survives a whole winter is another matter.
I put a large cat litter tray underneath the nesting box (mine is raised off the floor) and that has kept dry in the rain so that the girls have a place to dust bathe in even in the wet.

I decided recently that I would keep them in the enclosure during the rain as I have a lot of bare flower beds and they adore getting dirty in them (they normally free range for most of the day) and pekins are not made for mud, no matter how much they like it!

When the Autumn comes, I plan to part cover the enclosure with a tarpaulin or gazebo with it's legs cut down so that they have some dry conditions - my girls never read the Haynes Manual about not liking rain and staying indoors.
I'm not quite sure how this is going to work, but, hopefully, I've got a little time to sort that out.

Hope my ramblings may be of some use.

Have fun.
x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top