Solitary chicken - need advice

[Staffordmum]

 

And so the hunt begins...

 

We've visited a couple of websites and started comparing costs having agreed it's too large a job for us to tackle (no carpentry experience between us!)

 

The exising chicken garden "runs away" to the right and so a lot of groundwork will be req'd before it's level enough to accommodate anything. Should we use slabs to keep the wooden frame (only) off the ground?

 

We intend to keep the itself and "attach" it to the outside of the run, thus giving the more room and us ease of access for collection and cleaning etc. Pretty sure I read somewhere there are companies that will customise as req'd.

 

Any helpful information would be appreciated. What are your experiences to date? the pros and cons of this arrangement? a solid roof, or not (some of our girls got pretty wet yesterday!)? what flooring? we've been reading about the rubber chippings from B&Q (all different colours too!). Is this effective i.e. can it be cleaned properly?

 

Thanks for taking the time to read our post. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Here's looking forward to a GLORIOUS bank holiday w/e.

 

Take care of you all - don't forget your sunscreen

 

Pat & Steve

[atsw]

I'd start here for a few ideas (lots of pictures).

 

I brought my run in kit form from Aviaries4U and put it up myself. There's a slideshow of the whole experience, including groundwork, here.

 

There's a (very!) long thread all about Walk in Runs here.

 

Have fun!

 

Andrew

[miffy]

HOW did you persuade OH, I keep thinking I've got him on board then he says, not yet or next year

[Jules.]

yay!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

How exciting . I love my WIR . Hope you get some inspiration from the thread ATSW has suggested . Look at the link in my signature for my WIR.

 

Should we use slabs to keep the wooden frame (only) off the ground?

I've got a concrete "path" which the frame sits on. I like them having soil to scratch about in. Do make sure your slabs are level or the run may be a bit wonky and have gaps at floor level.

 

We intend to keep the itself and "attach" it to the outside of the run. Pretty sure I read somewhere there are companies that will customise as req'd.

Aviaries4u will customise runs for you. I requested a stable door (which he'd not done before) and he obliged .

 

Any helpful information would be appreciated. What are your experiences to date? the pros and cons of this arrangement? a solid roof, or not (some of our girls got pretty wet yesterday!)?

I have a mesh roof with corrugated plastic on top. A definite necessity (especially in Scotland ). We get lots of snow too so wanted a strong roof.

what flooring?

I use Easibed on top of the soil. I poo pick every day (takes 10 secs!) and it stays nice and dry and fresh .

Feel free to ask any questions - we all love talking about WIRs .