Some more photos

[DuncanZA]

So, I took the plunge and put some river sand in the run, here are the pictures.

So far the hens love it, enjoying using it to dust bathe and it is very easy to clean. Luckily, we will not be getting any rain for the next six months - it's our dry season now - I might have a different opinion when the rains come back in October but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I should point out that the hens stay in the run until about 1pm and then they have the run of one of the gardens - you can see the bare earth outside the run - well, that was beautiful green grass when the girls arrived. It didn't take them long to change that though!

The big green tub is where I put their feed hopper - it just keeps the mess down, or that's the theory anyway. They hop in to eat and it makes keeping the pellets from dispersing everywhere a bit easier - anything to help discourage pests.

Since these photos were taken I've also put in a sort of chicken 'jungle gym' for their amusement.

 

[Philcott]

Nice set up you've got there Duncan!

 

[DuncanZA]

Thanks, my wife thinks I'm mad - especially when I moved the old stone table and bench in round the back of the house and started having a morning cup of coffee there while chatting to the girls as we've taken to calling them. Thanks for the tip re multiply too!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Marigold]

It looks like an estate agent's details for a new house! What a beautiful coop, did you make it Duncan? I expect the green shading is helpful for them as well.

 

[chrismahon]

So tidy Duncan! You haven't got that much sand area so keeping it clean shouldn't be much of an issue. For our chicks we used a flour seive. You could just scoop the poos up onto a garden seive and let the excess sand fall back into the run. Then well compost the poo and grow some veggies for the girls -and you.

 

[Sue]

Lovely house and run Duncan, they're very lucky girls! I'll be interested to hear your ongoing experience of using the sand as I may be tempted to change from the wood chip next time.