What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[AlisonH]

Our 2 chooks have been very happily living in their Eglu run for the past 2 years, being allowed our to free range most days for varying amounts of time. However, they are now starting to wreck the grass and garden and hubbie isn't overly impressed and I must say, having eaten all the flowers off my beautiful magnolia (the chooks, not me!) I have come to the conclusion that a big run to stay in may be the solution.

 

When it rains, I have always kept the plastic see-through cover on our current run, which is bark chipped and this has stopped it getting soggy. I was thinking that within the new run I would have some sort of corner shelter for the chooks in bad weather but I'm just wondering if any of you can suggest whether I should cover the whole run with some sort of roof, and if so what with?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I would say definitely cover it. Have a look at my signature link, it shows the roof I have (small profile corrugated plastic sheets from B&Q). Bear in mind you may have to do guttering as well unless you can get the run-off to go where you won't get soaked if it's raining!

[Leicester_H]

I second what ANH wrote.

 

We got some of the smaller profile (1" rather than 3") clear corrugated plastic sheets (I think it looks better - just personal choice).

Size - approx 6 feet by 3 feet - cost approx £7 (I seem to recall) - its quite easy to cut.

 

We got from local shop (http://www.sodenplastics.co.uk/Soden_Plastics_Ltd/Soden_Plastics_Ltd_-_Leicester_-_Products_Page_4_-_Clear_Plastic_Roofing_-_Car_Port.html)

 

see "1 1/4 in Clear - 26in wide" in table

 

We drilled small holes in the corners and used garden wire to secure it to the run.

I have a winter and a summer configuration (basically take some off in summer).

 

This is winter configuration with most of run covered for bad weather

 

[mcfee2]

Wow Hazel, you have your eglu on wheels? That's genius!

 

I bought some plastic sheeting from our local hardware shop, but that looks much better I have eglu envy

[Leicester_H]

Wow Hazel, you have your eglu on wheels? That's genius!

Why, thank you - it was OH's idea and he did all the work.

It is useful to be able to easily move run around on the patio.

Here is an earlier thread about construction (one pic is missing - not sure why - can't investigate now)

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43282

h