Cyber Chook Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hello everyone, I'm happy to announce that we're going ahead with having a run built, and have a couple more questions, if anyone could kindly comment: 1) What do you think about having the main entrance door opening inwards or outwards? A couple of people said their chickens barged out past them when they opened their outward-opening doors. I'm not sure why that matters? Is it that it's irritating more than anything? Wouldn't they still get under your feet with an inward-opening door? 2) What do you think to having a drop-down hatch opening at kind of waist height, so that I can throw in a handful of mixed corn to distract their little brains while I then enter the run and shut the door behind me, when I don't want them charging out into the garden? Is this a waste of money on something I'll never use, or a useful thing to have? 3) My husband is suggesting having only half of the 6' x 9' run covered by a sloping translucent roof, and the other half open to the elements. I think that the wood chippings/Hemcore will get muddy and wet too quickly, and it will all get mixed up into a wet mess by the chooks - what do you think? (He doesn't actually clean them out or have much to do with them, so I don't think he appreciates quite how mucky our girls love to be). thank you Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Our doors to the run open outwards....no problems with that here. We have double doors as with just the one door we couldnt get the cube out. I would definitely go with a full roof... half open roof is an idyllic idea for perfect summer days with a breeze blowing through and sunshine...but we dont get much of that here do we! You will spend a fortune on hemcore etc if you go for half a roof IMO. (up to you though ) and if I had my time over again and was starting the run from scratch I would have a concrete/fully slabbed floor (easy to clean and stops water seeping up underneath after torrential rain)....something else for you to consider. We have a hatch but rarely use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Hello everyone, I'm happy to announce that we're going ahead with having a run built, and have a couple more questions, if anyone could kindly comment: 1) What do you think about having the main entrance door opening inwards or outwards? A couple of people said their chickens barged out past them when they opened their outward-opening doors. I'm not sure why that matters? Is it that it's irritating more than anything? Wouldn't they still get under your feet with an inward-opening door? Ours opens inwards so I can block their exit using my foot across the opening. 2) What do you think to having a drop-down hatch opening at kind of waist height, so that I can throw in a handful of mixed corn to distract their little brains while I then enter the run and shut the door behind me, when I don't want them charging out into the garden? Is this a waste of money on something I'll never use, or a useful thing to have? If there's little extra cost I'd probably say go for it as it sounds a good idea to me. 3) My husband is suggesting having only half of the 6' x 9' run covered by a sloping translucent roof, and the other half open to the elements. I think that the wood chippings/Hemcore will get muddy and wet too quickly, and it will all get mixed up into a wet mess by the chooks - what do you think? (He doesn't actually clean them out or have much to do with them, so I don't think he appreciates quite how mucky our girls love to be). Definately cover all of it. We've spent this weekend covering most of the sides on our run as well to try and keep the majority of the rain out thank you Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bephlam Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Our door opens outwards, and we never have a problem with the girls trying to get out. They will come out if I don't take treats in to them quick enough, but even then...it's hardly a mad rush!! We have a full roof on our run - which makes it so much better with this horrid weather. Ours isn't slabbed, but I would do that if I was starting over! So much easier to clean. I personally can't see why you would need a hatch to tempt them with, but to each their own - no two chooks are the same!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 Our door opens outwards and its fine... I did think they were trying to barge past me but now realise they are just coming to say hi! And would def go for a full roof as whatever you put in the run will get very soggy if not covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted November 4, 2008 Share Posted November 4, 2008 hi i have a door that opens in and it works very well you cn push them back and get in without any difficulty i would also go for a complete covered run, much easier i dont know about the hatch thingy, if it is an expensive option i would give it a miss good luck sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
