4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[lyd119]

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

[Space Chick]

 

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!

 

 

 

[Ain't Nobody Here]

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!

[Redwing]

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

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I stand corrected . Is it builders sand you shouldn't use ?

[tom123]

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

[lyd119]

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