What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[hpops]

MY husband and I can't agree -

 

I think plastic roof - hemcore on the floor

 

Hubby thinks wire roof - woodchip on the floor

 

Which would be cleaner and smell less?

 

Thanks

[ruth1]

Go for a covered roof, so much easier to maintain the run, youll be grateful for it in the winter.

[Barkisland]

After yesterday's deluge, I'd definitely recommend a covered run. We get more wet days than dry in this country, I fear.

[half dozen]

Definately covered run with all this wet weather,then you dont end up with a mud bath and have to start all over again.There is nothing worse than coming home and seeing your beloved girls wet,cold and very muddy x

[Snowy]

Definitely cover the run - when the ground in the run gets wet, that is when it really starts to pong unless you can commit to clearing up any food and poo every day!

 

Also, aubiose tends to smell less than woodchip - seems to absorb damp and smells.

[abwsco]

Definately cover the run although ours still got wet yesterday as we had rain coming in sideways and also so much that it forced it's way through the joins in the roof sheeting. I dread to think of how wet it would have been if it had no covering on.

[Egluntyne]

I have a cvered run. Fantastic.

 

I also use Aubiose on the floor.

[chooklady]

Definately a covered run, I'm very pleased with mine. We have mainly woodchip, 8 bags from B&Q on the floor with a bale of Hemcore mixed in, it's been down almost 2 months now and I think it will easily last 6 tha's what I'm hoping for anyway.

[Ardene5]

Hi

 

We think we know where your hubby is coming from as he is the one

who will be putting the roof on.

 

So he is looking for the light option ..... mesh and plenty of towels

to dry the hens.

 

But with all this wet weather around we think a roof is the best way

forward.

 

Think about this you can collect the rain water and use it all around

the garden and for the hens.

 

With water firms going to charge more it makes sense to collect it.

 

What are you putting on the side of the run to keep the wind / rain

out?

 

Hem core is the best thing for the run floor.

 

Hope this help you both.

 

Good luck.

 

Best regards

 

 

Ian & Valerie

William & Harry

Missy & Millie Dogs

9 Hens

+ + Henian Castle

Large walk in run with roof.

[hpops]

Thanks so much for the replies -

 

What about Hemcore - does it really help with the smell?

[chooklady]

Yes I'm sure it does, I also put a layer of Hemcore in the poo trays and it is very absorbant, the trays have a bit of a smell but nothing terrible so it proably does.