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[Lewis]

How's the concrete going Lewis. I think I'm back to concrete but going to get quotes again.

Knew I'd believe it when I see it

buttt ... the builder should be coming to sort it

 

He came round today to quote, and weather permitting should be coming to finish the concrete tomorrow

We've buying the stuff, and he's providing the mixer - only charging £50 labour

 

 

Not long to wait Janty

[fantasticjudyann]

I thought you already had a massive one

[fluffyknickers]

Just spoke to Tony from A4U and its his birthday today! Just thoguht i'd share that piece of info!!!

[fantasticjudyann]

Yes I spoke to him too. Happy Birthday Tony He's just agreed to send me another frame for an extra Glug and Grub for my new run ready for the warmer weather

 

BTW my tarp has torn at the bottom in the wind we've just had perhaps I'm not as clever as I thought I was

[emchook]

Judy- at least you managed to get some of your tarp up. I still havent got round to it !

[Lewis]

Lewis finally has concrete

 

John came round this morning and did it. I caught him bent down talking to Nugget + Cilla in the run

Its kind of a red colour, from the sand - think the colour will stay, and not dry out(?), but it matches the panels anyway

 

Couple of days for it to dry properly this time, and then can assemble the panels

[Plum]

Plum very jealous. Plum wants concrete.

 

Good news Lewis, how long will you leave it?

 

I went back to orginal man with quote but he can't do it now as he's too busy. Got another quote but was too much so am on hunt for man with concrete who likes a challenging area to deliver to.

[Lewis]

Am running a charity even for school of Friday, so I'm busy setting up for that for the next few days

Probably Friday afternoon/Saturday. Father is away this weekend so will take longer to do, but he can't moan that I'm doing it wrong

 

Not sure where my man lives, I'll find his card and phone number. Derbys not that far

Theres also a website that you post your building job on, and people come back to you with quotes - will find out the name from dad.

[Janty]

I thought you already had a massive one

 

 

[Janty]

Janty you wrote that as if there are MORE to come after this one.

 

No...running out of room in the garden. Hubby is understanding but that might be taking it too far!

 

[fantasticjudyann]

Tarp Update

 

DH has just fixed some battens to the WIR frame on the windy side to hold the tarp in place..... isn't he a star We'll wait to see what happens in a real gale.

[emchook]

well done Judys DH

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I think we need photographic evidence .

[fantasticjudyann]

I think you are probably right.

 

I'll try and get DD to do it at the weekend

[Lewis]

Lewis awaits said photos of tarp - will probably get some for summer(?) or winter?

 

 

Have started assembling the panels, have done 3 and a half sides, but not attached the sides together yet, if that makes sense

 

Progress so far:

[Plum]

Saw these on other thread Lewis, brilliant another huge run. It's going to be so good.

[fantasticjudyann]

Looks good so far Lewis-love the colour

 

Looking forward to seeing it finished

[thelurch]

Hi all,

 

I am in the pre planning stage of getting chickens, I am about to order a cube without a run and am going to build a walk in run.

 

I am currently relocating 2 x 8'x6' Greenhouses which are side by side on a concreted base. This will be the runs home.I will be building the walk in run myself (not a chippie, just enjoy working with wood) and it will be approx 18' x 6' x 7' high.

 

The cube will be on the outside on one of the sort sides. One of the long sides will be up against the fence (but not touching) with next door and the other short side will be next to but not touching a shed so I will be making all four sides.

 

The long side against the fence would get all the prevailing weather so I thought I would use weldmesh and then apply timber cladding horizontally from ground to roof so this would stop the wind and rain from blasting into the run.

 

I intend to have a sloping roof with meldmesh and a rainproof roof of somekind with guttering.

 

I am going to base a design on the website frequently mentioned in this thread, I have been fortunate enough to get given all the wood to make the frame free of charge

 

A door on the other long side for human access.

 

I want to have the run and cube in place plus extra fencing around our veg beds before I get any chickens.

 

Questions:

 

* I had been planning to make a roof of solid sheets of external grade chipboard (again free) covered in roofing felt and guttering on the lower side but I see the majority of people and avaries4u seem to use corrugated plastic sheeting. I now think that making a solid roof of chipboard and felt, combined with a solid backwall might make the run too dark? What do people think?

 

* Is it ok to treat the wood with any preservative or would it have to be "animal friendly"?

 

* Weldmesh - Is 1"x 1" 19 guage the usual standard? Ive heard that you dont want the holes too big otherwise bits of the hens could get pulled through and also allow rats in.

 

Thats about it for now, Im sure I will think of other things!

 

Thanks

 

Chris

[Lewis]

The long side against the fence would get all the prevailing weather so I thought I would use weldmesh and then apply timber cladding horizontally from ground to roof so this would stop the wind and rain from blasting into the run.

What about using a 'glass tarp'?

 

Questions:

 

* I had been planning to make a roof of solid sheets of external grade chipboard (again free) covered in roofing felt and guttering on the lower side but I see the majority of people and avaries4u seem to use corrugated plastic sheeting. I now think that making a solid roof of chipboard and felt, combined with a solid backwall might make the run too dark? What do people think?

- It may be dark and could have potential for mites, but personal preference. I'm using clear corrugated plastic, but a few people (Janty does) have a felt roof and think gets on fine with it.

* Is it ok to treat the wood with any preservative or would it have to be "animal friendly"?

- Use Animal friendly - I think cuprinol is, it will say on the back.

* Weldmesh - Is 1"x 1" 19 guage the usual standard? Ive heard that you dont want the holes too big otherwise bits of the hens could get pulled through and also allow rats in.

- Thats fine. Mine is 1x0.5

 

All sounds good

.... and even better if you've been given some bits

[thelurch]

thanks for that

 

I think I will go for the corrugated clear plastic roof option.

 

Not sure what a "glass tarp" is though, I know what a tarp is but never heard of a glass one

 

[fantasticjudyann]

It's a see through tough polythene

[thelurch]

one more thing ( for now)

 

What is the general trend for applying the weldmesh, from the inside or on the outside?

 

What does the legendary Tony do?

 

Thanks

[legend21]

Lurch, my mesh is on the inside, builder made the run and he does a lot of chicken things, I think if mesh is on outside, someone could open it when you are not around. Dont know your set and maybe no one would dream of coming into your garden, but other folk on the forum dont have nice neighbours.

 

Jackie

[thelurch]

good point that

 

Dont think I would have that issue but you never know, inside it is then

[Cooks]

mines inside too