Building new enclosed run for coop

D

Didsburylass

New member
Joined
Feb 16, 2016
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Location
Didsbury, Manchester
Hi Everyone

Building a new run to enclose the ladies coop so if I go out they will be safe from Mrs Fox, it will be raised on bricks and the floor will be paving flags.

I am hoping to divide it into 3 areas to keep them occupied, what to you suggest I can put in area one where the coop is that will be soft and comfortable for walking on but will also soak up any droppings and easy to clean, and what do you recommend for roofing?

Any suggestion gratefully received
 
How big will the run be, and how many hens will you want to keep in there?
It should be possible to divide the run, but whether two or three spaces would be best will depend on the area available. Space to circulate and get away if necessary is just as important as shelter from wind and sun, so if it's less than about 10 sq m. maybe 2 areas would be better than three. Leave room or a nice big deep dustbath. I've been using an old upturned plastic base from a large water butt, about 12 ins deep, which is round in shape and very comfortable, but any nice deep plastic or wooden box will do. Also, plan for long wooden perches along the side of the run where they can see out, not very high, about 12-15 ins, as they will all sit in a row and enjoy watching the world go by.
Aubiose is the most absorbent floor covering and is soft, warm, and comfortable. A good 4-6 in. layer on top of your slabs will give them depth to dig around and lie down comfortably. If you make it deep to start with and poo pick daily, it will only need occasional topups. I sounds as if you're only planning to put is down in one section. On concrete, it would be needed all over, for softness and warmth as well as to keep clean easily.
We used transparent corrugated plastic roof panels, which let in light, and help keep it pleasantly warm in cold windy weather, but you could use the green kind, at least st one end, if you needed to provide shade, very important. Hens manage well in cold weather but find hot conditions much more difficult.
 
Hi Everyone

The run will be definitely be 9ft long x 6ft wide x 5ft high or 12ftx6ft if I can get away with taking over more patio for 3 hens (ex batts) seated on 2 rows of house bricks so they can still see out.

I already use Auboise so can use it in the run, by three area's I thought it might be more interesting for them to have different levels making the coop end slightly higher a middle digging area which can be refreshed regularly and lastly I have been given a 5 inch deep butlers sink which I thought would make a nice large dust bath with perches around the place or am I going OTT or would they prefer flat soft run with perches plants and a dust bath

They also have a further fenced run in the garden of 9ft x6ft eventually when they are ready can free range the garden.

The garden is in sun for most of the day, wherever the run goes, can I still use the clear corrugated roofing or would I be better with all green coroline I don't want to pop out and come back to roast chicken :D
 
Very similar Didsburylass, Onduline is a little bit thicker and a little bit dearer but for what you are doing Coraline would be fine. Personally I would use Coraline/Onduline over the clear stuff as I find that transmits too much heat on the odd very hot day we have here and you will get plenty of light into the sides of the run anyhow. I think using the sink sounds like a nice idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top