EGLU HEAT PROBLEMS

[Surfin]

Well much to my Wifes annoyance I have decided to start keeping chickens. I've done much research (What did I do before Google?) and purchased a good sized coop, which is in dispatch, to stock with 6 POL's. BTW this coop has 6 nest boxes OTT or not?

 

My main question is the design of the run which I will build. I will build it in modular form based of 1 metre cubes with a pent roof partially shaded and protected against rain. I will position this on my lawn. I don't want to be frequently moving this so should I make a permanent base? If so do I concrete and provide ground cover material. Any advice and guidance would be heartily welcome.

 

Thanks,

 

Ian

[Christian]

Hello Ian and welcome to the forum

 

If you don;t want to move the run then yes, a permanent base/area is best.

 

I use paving slabs with the run on top. I fill the run with Aubiose, a horse bedding made from hemp, to give the hens something to scratch around in. As they aren't on grass I make sure they have green veg a few times a week. Aubiose is very absorbent, so you need to check the run covered at all times to prevent the rain soaking into it.

 

Aubiose/hemcore/easibed are available from equestrian shops.

 

6 nest boxes is ok for 6 hens, they won't have to queue!

 

Good luck!

[Surfin]

Thanks for the response and welcome Christian.

 

I think a hard base is the answer. I've seen course sand advised as a base, this may be an option.

 

My biggest issue ATM is how big do I need it to be in area? From what I've read it should be a square metre per bird, which is twice the size I'd prefer. On the basis of 1metre per bird none of the commercial products remotely reach that figure. So I'm a bit fogged over this issue.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Hi Ian and welcome from me too .

 

The issue of run size really depends on how much freeranging you can give your hens. If they are to be contained permanently within your run it really needs to be as big as you can make it! I have 6 girls in a fairly small run (2.5m x 2m) - you can see it in my signature link - but they freerange all day albeit in a fairly small freerange area.

 

I have my run on slabs round the edges and soil in the middle with Easibed as bedding which is great and composts really well.

 

I have one nestbox for six . (Although only 2 are laying at the moment .)

[Space Chick]

Hello and welcome

 

I also have a permanent base on my WIR, a solid roof and use a horse bedding on the ground.

 

As for size, the nearest you can get to 1 square metre per hen the better, as the more space they have the less chance there is a bad behaviour due to boredom/overcrowding. That said I know several people that keep 4 hens in a cube run which equates to roughly 0.7 square metre per hen.

 

There are other things you can do within a walk in run to add interest, as you have the extra height. For example, in my run I have a rabbit run which I have put a Perspex roof on, this gives them a downstairs (which can also be closed off as an introduction area when I am introducing new hens) and an upstairs mezzanine level I have also added a large plastic pasting table, and several smaller tables, so they can jump up, go below the tables etc. This all gives extra "floor" space and interest. I have also added perches using wooden broom handles through the weld mesh on the run in 2 corners.

 

My run is 10 metres squared (15 square metres with added "floor" space) and I have 13 girls in there at the moment, although I have had up to 15 at one time (although I do tend to favour smaller breeds, and so have some small hybrids, smaller pure breeds and bantams). My girls do also get free ranging time most days (less now in winter ) Basically, if we are home they are out. So generally most weekends, and evenings after work (although I do often work from home too)

 

Hope this helps

[Surfin]

Thanks for the welcome from Edinburgh.

 

I could raise the coop so that it will give me another square metre I s'pose. That would give me 4 metres x 1 metre. The only other 2 options is to let them freerange on my garden (but there is a well established fox family locally) or make an extra 2X1 metre module that I could attach at right angles to the main run. This would allow me to easily move this section to 3 possible positions.

 

I may leave the lawn grass, initially at least. BTW would Nedz Bedz original be suitable as bedding?

 

Ian

[Ain't Nobody Here]

They'll make short work of your lawn .

 

Nedz Bedz is used by quite a few folk on the forum. Apparently Nedz Bedz Pro (made from rape rather than wheat) smells nicer and is more absorbent.

[Surfin]

Thanks Space Chick.

 

I don't think a WIR is an option although it's not totally out of the question. I have thought about the girls toys and a scatter of rustic branches and perches come to mind.

 

Ian