Single hen

[Leicester_H]

We gave up trying to move eglu to save lawn and now have it in a fixed place. We use bark chippings which we replace every 3 or 4 weeks.

 

Yesterday, was change day. The chippings were caked together with mud etc. due to all the rain we've been having, making the job very difficult (particularly for people with bad backs)

 

So, my husband has suggested building a wooden platform, a few inches off the ground (so it doesn't rot too quickly) - basically like a small piece of decking, and screw the run to the wood and filling with bark chippings(hence easy to rake out and replace)

 

My 2 girls only free range for an hour or so a day (thats all they seem to want - but thats another story!) and spend most of their time scratching around the run, rearranging the bark chippings etc.

They'd still be able to do this, but I'm concerned it won't be as good as it is now, being on the earth.

 

Does anyone have run on hard/concrete slabs ? What is on top of them ? Is this OK on their poor little feet/beaks ?

 

Anyone got any comments (particularly on decking idea)? I'm sure people have evolved good ideas for their runs over time.

 

Hazel

[Christian]

hazel, i'm sure your girls will be fine on a decked area, as long as you give them something to scratch around in. The only thing I would say is provide them with a shallow dish type thing to dust bathe in. They obviously won't be able to dig their own through decking. We use a cat litter tray, with a slight lip around the edge as it keeps the dust in!

[Laura & CTB]

Hi Hazel

 

My girls are on concrete slabs covered in a layer of Aubiose and they dont seem to mind at all. They love scratching through the Aubiose which usually ends up in a big pile at one end of the run. I think the concrete also helps to stop their nails growing too long

[Leicester_H]

Thanks Christian

 

 

 

My girls are on concrete slabs covered in a layer of Aubiose

 

Doesn't the Aubiose get soaked and/or blow everywhere ?

[Laura & CTB]

No - I have a home made run which is covered by plastic sheets so the run stays dry and I made a small surround for it to keep the Aubiose in place - like wots on the Omlet website.

 

A piccie of my run is :

 

[Leicester_H]

What Luxury !! Looks great.

I can't cover run in plastic as they eat it - its not a money issue but I worry about them eating so much plastic.

[alexandtom]

It does look great. I am definitely feeling inspired. Not sure if it is because of the terrible weather but seem to be moving our girls every day now and although the lawn looks good when it has recovered there is the week in between when it is a mess-and we will run out of new space soon.

 

Will get Husband on the case, should keep him out of trouble this weekend anyhow.

 

Thanks, Alex

[Christian]

I can't cover run in plastic as they eat it - its not a money issue but I worry about them eating so much plastic.

 

Why not try corrugated plastic, the roofing stuff?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

edited for spelling

Edited July 2, 2007 by Guest

[Laura & CTB]

 

Why not try corregated plastic, the roofing stuff?

 

That's what we used Christian.

 

Also you can get plastic tarpaulins that have reinforcing nylon mesh in them -would the chickens eat that Hazel??

[Egluntyne]

Mine are on concrete slabs topped with Aubiose.

 

I get the power washer out once a month and blast everything.

 

It comes up like new.

 

I agree about it keeping the hens nails nicely filed too.

[Leicester_H]

 

Why not try corregated plastic, the roofing stuff?

 

That's what we used Christian.

 

Also you can get plastic tarpaulins that have reinforcing nylon mesh in them -would the chickens eat that Hazel??

 

Thanks both - will look into corregated plastic and reinforced mesh.

I have no idea why they eat it anyway ?? can't taste of much ??

[hasnett]

Apparently Chickens don't have taste buds??? (according to the breeder we bought our bantams fron anyway)

sx

[Rhapsody]

Sorry to butt in, but I really want to create a large run on a concrete area in my garden, how do you fix the run skirt to the floor?

[Egluntyne]

Love the head scratching.

 

Mine are weighed down with giant boulders.

 

Bricks are just not heavy enough.

 

Gallina weighs hers down with beautiful planted up tubs.

[Laura & CTB]

Sorry to butt in, but I really want to create a large run on a concrete area in my garden, how do you fix the run skirt to the floor?

 

I have paving slabs on top of the concrete - the mesh can go straight under them.