Hi guys, was wondering if anybody could help. I have built an extended area for my hens to play in today, is 1 metre high by 3 metres wide and 4 metres depth. The reason I have done this is that in the recent bad weather, our fences have disappeared and we have just laid new turf in the garden and obviously due to this we dont want the hens to be running around everywhere! After I let them out this morning, they promptly jumped straight over the new pen and went into the neighbours garden with me following closely behind! It took some time but I managed to get them back in and closed them in their old run! What I would really like help with is what to do next! Financial issues mean we can not get new fences and sort an extra large run for them, but obviously I don't want to keep the hens cooped up all the time. Has anybody got any tips for me or anywhere I could get something cheaply???? Many thanks
help with run/garden problems!
- Thread starter ajmellu7
- Start date
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Ajmellu, the boundary just needs raising two feet. We've been in exactly the same situation and used a roll of 2 foot mesh with wooden extension pieces screwed to the existing posts. We tried string first, 4 lines about 6" apart on garden canes, which does work, but not for bantams. Plastic mesh may be cheaper than galvanised.
You may find that, once they get used to the new enclosure, they will come to regard it as their territory and won't be so inclined to explore outside of it. Are they youngish pullets? Mine have always settled down once they begin to lay and are less inclined to fly around.
They are 22 weeks old now. Have just put an extra metre on top so am over 6 foot now and they still are trying to get over! Panicking as they have just jumped onto the roof of the coop and are looking to jump over the top!!! AHHHH! Just on another point, my area that I have produced is basically where the old shed was, so is a concrete base, not all of it is concrete, but what would you advise to put down? Chipped bark or sand? Thanks for your help guys!
chrismahon
Well-known member
Chipped bark about 4-6 inches deep. It will rot down and need digging out and replacing every year or more often if you don't poo pick every morning. Heard there are rubber chips available.
chrismahon
Well-known member
I wouldn't add anything, unless you want to create a soil bath which is a chickens absolutely must have Christmas present! You will need to put a cover over the bath to keep the rain off. I've used kiln dried sand for a soil bath. Get it from builders merchants- it is used to brush inbetween block paving to stabilise it. Add a little lice and mite powder. For the bath itself a few bits of wood knocked into a rectangle will do, It doesn't really need a bottom. Or any number of other things could be used to contain it.
