lyd119 Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Hi all, we have put down our slabs ready for our run. the area is 8ft x 4ft with a coop 4ft x 3ft. just a few questions, 1) how many hens could we fit in this (they will be free ranging in the garden for at least an hour a day)? 2) Is sharp sand a good sand to put down for them? 3) how much sand should I use to cover the run area at a depth of 3-4 inches? thanks for your help!!! Lydia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 1) how many hens could we fit in this (they will be free ranging in the garden for at least an hour a day)? Thats 32 square foot, or 2.97 square metres, they generally recommend 8-12 square foot per bird or 1 square metre depending where you look. Using this calculation that would be 3 chooks, 4 at a big push (Based on 8 square feet each) 2) Is sharp sand a good sand to put down for them?Never heard of sand being used as a flooring, most of us use horse bedding such as Aubiose in covered runs, or Chippings in open runs 3) how much sand should I use to cover the run area at a depth of 3-4 inches? Can't help with this one sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 1) how many hens could we fit in this (they will be free ranging in the garden for at least an hour a day)? Mine is 8ft x 6.5ft and I have 3 girls in it. They have a bench and a table which the eglu sits on, giving them more floor space. I would consider having 4 but probably not 5 (although that is to do with the nestbox, your coop can probably hold more). 2) Is sharp sand a good sand to put down for them? Sand is often used for a dustbath but play sand is recommended. I don't think sharp sand is good but I may be wrong. You'd be much better off with a horse bedding as Debs suggests . Sand would get damp whereas horse bedding dries out well. 3) how much sand should I use to cover the run area at a depth of 3-4 inches? Hope that helps too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I've read that some top breeders use sharp sand for the run floor and they do tend to know what they are doing but I have not spoken to anyone who actually uses sand so couldnt say if it was any good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 I stand corrected . Is it builders sand you shouldn't use ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 This article was in P P a couple of months ago. It was a man who created the 'Suffolk Chequer' and he kept his on sand... Sharp sand he keeps his on then! Sounds quite a good idea just a bit worried where the poo would go if it was on slabs? Good Luck Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyd119 Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 thanks for the advice. we would be poo picking once a day or so and putting it on the compost heap. then once a month filling it up with another couple of bags of sand! Lydia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
