What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[janeears]

I have just discovered black, weed-prevention membrane in the garden where I'm planning to house our eglu / run. We will be covering the area with a thick layer of wood chippings. Should we take up the membrane or leave it in situ and cover with the wood? Many thanks.

[janeears]

If anyone is on-line and can help with this query, I'd be terribly grateful.

[jlo]

I actually put down the membrane before putting down my rubber chippings and have had no problem with it. I am sure that it would be ok.

[janeears]

Oh, Jlo, many thanks for the reply! That sounds great - one less bit of prep to do before our long-awaited chooks appear. We are SOOOOO excited!!

[Tutti Frutti]

Just make sure there are no joins in the membrane that the girls can get to otherwise they'll be digging it right up and then you'll really have a job on your hands! We ended up slabbing over the joins

[janeears]

Sensible advice, Tutti Frutti. I'll scrutinise it in the morning!

[janeears]

Thanks for the replies. Being a 'newbie', it's quite daunting posting here so I do appreciate your advice. Having looked at the membrane and seen it's pretty poor condition, we've decided to remove it because the chickens' scratching would just scuff the whole thing up. We've laid a decent layer of chunky wood chippings ........... just waiting for Tuesday when the eglu is being delivered!

[Tutti Frutti]

Don't be daunted! We're quite a friendly bunch... as long as you post photos of your girls on Tuesday :lol: Bet you can't sleep with excitement! I know I couldn't and I waited ages to get mine

 

PS Think you were wise to remove it - the girls would've made a hideous mess out of it!

[janeears]

That's really kind, Tutti Frutti. The eglu is being delivered on Tues and I'm collecting our three girls on Wednesday. I promise faithfully to put photos on: I'll need to get my two young daughters to show me how!!!!