Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[Nussi-joe]

I have fenced off a large area to the side of our house and will be putting a coup with enclosed run in it. My intention is to however, let the chickens roam around the fenced off area. The thing is it is already covered with hardcore type stones (not pea gravels, but still smooth and larger). I want to make it interesting for the chickens as I expect they will not be able to scratch around on the hardcore much. What can I therefore put on the floor or in the enclosure to make it fun for them e.g. clippings or plants?

[sparkysmum]

Hi and welcome to the forum. A couple of thoughts re your proposed run. I'm not sure what size of stones your hardcore type gravel is but if its what I have in mind then it may be too hard on your hens feet and it may be best if you cover it with softer material. If your run is open ie not covered you might want to consider wood chips. I get mine from a local tree surgeon for the cost of his petrol. The hens enjoy scratching about in this & is readily available esp if you are going to cover a largish area.

 

Re plants. My run has plenty of mature shrubs and bushes for them to scoot about in/take shelter in/perch and chill in when the weather is fine but also a covered area for them to take refuge in during our frequent storms. I would suggest that a covered area is fairly essential. Some of my shrubs are - large flowering current,large rhodie, potentilla, spirea, pieris and a big heather which they are in the process of destroying.

 

Whatever you plant needs to be tough and hardy . No point at all in planting anything pretty, dainty or valuable. Your hens will simply scratch them up.

 

Hope this has given you a couple of ideas & I'm sure there will be lots more good advice to come . Alli x

[Egluntyne]

I'd be wary about having hens on gravel. A friend of mine did this, and she used to hose it down a couple of times a week. After a while the stench was unbearable, as the 'slurry' wasn't draining away, and there was a thick layer of chicken faeces caked under the gravel. Not nice.

[Nussi-joe]

Oh dear! I'm worried now! I've already brought the coup, but am now not sure if the environment is right!

 

I read a few posts about different coverings eg rubber chips, bark, gravel, paving slabs and they all seem to have there downfalls. The area that I am thinking about letting them run free on has a fabric type underlay under the " gravel " so maybe this will just keep the muck in?! I read a few posts saying gravel or paving slabs was best?

 

I'm not sure whether to keep chickens now! May be I should just sell the coup!!

[stu]

My hens are on wood-chips. They can move it about easily and make their dustbath under the cube, although there is no barrier under the chips, and the soil drains. I think it's also good for 'hiding' seeds and such, at least for a while, keeping them busy.

They get let out into the garden, when around my veg patch there is pea gravel. They throw this all over the place, and insist on creating large holes by the raised beds too, but they rake back.

 

I certainly wouldn't give up, for the lack of a good material to keep them on. Perhaps you could split the area initially by raking the gravel to one area and putting an alternative down in the other... they'll soon let you know what they like best.

[LottyJ1]

Hiya,

 

Mine are on woodchip too in their WIR - I think its great and totally clear out every few months and put salosan down weekly. However others don't like it so it depends on you and your set up.

 

If something isn't working you can always try an alternative. Don't give up. Having chooks in the garden is ace!

[sparkysmum]

Any chance you could get rid of the hardcore & keep the membrane. Fill up with woodchips, provide a dry enclosed area & you'll have perfect hen enclosure. A x

[uc4tuna]

I have sand in my run (on top of base rock) and it works pretty well so far. Not the most fun for the girls to dust-bathe in, but I provide a tub of dirt in the run for them to bathe in. Not sure if it would be too cold in England (seems OK here in California), but it does drain well and isn't hard on the hens' feet.