Debbie1962 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 So if I get the 1m extention run do you all think that will be enough. I can go anymore than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Hard to say for sure, as it does depend on the size and nature of your hens. Bigger is always better. They will definitely appreciate double the size. And you can utilise the height of the run by adding perches. They can be the fancy omlet types, but I have just spare bits of wood and branches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Nature wise they are fine. I don't see any evidence of bullying of anything like that. I guess as they have come from the same clutch and been together so long they seem to tolerate each other very well. They are are super natured friendly girls. As I said I can't extend anymore than the 1 metre extension. That will already mean I have to prepare a new area and have it flagged by professionals at a cost of roughly 200-300. I don't begrudge them it but if it's no good then there's no point in paying all that money out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I really wouldn’t invest in getting it paved, but save the money for the extension. It really doesn’t have to be fancy paving or perfectly level or straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 It will have to be paved due to the area just having pea gravel on it at the moment. It won't be easy to clean as it is even with a substrate over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 No sorry, I meant don’t invest in having it done, but try to do it yourself or get a neighbour/family member/ friend to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Oh right lol. No one else to do it. Just me and hubby. I can't do anything physical due to arthritis and hubby is 70 this year and I don't want him doing any physical work now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 The 1m extension would definitely be better for your hens, and as Cattails says it would allow you to add a perch creating even more usable space and hens love a perch to be up on to do their feathers or have a nap. However, and I feel really bad being pessimistic, I don’t think it will help significantly with the run staying clean for any prolonged period. I think you’d need to go quite a lot bigger for that which is clearly just not possible for you to do. The run has a ‘stable door’ type door at the end doesn’t it? So I think in your position I’d get a lightweight long handled rake and broom, go back to using something cheap and reasonably easy to remove (straw or miscanthus or similar) and just totally skip the whole lot out as often as I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie1962 Posted March 4, 2021 Author Share Posted March 4, 2021 Yes it has a stable type door. I don't really want to go back to straw as, in damp weather, it literally lasts only 3 or 4 days. Well a lot to think about. Thanks everyone for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Consider keeping them on paving slabs only and providing a good sized dust bath. Like I said, large part of my run is on paving only and I just sweep the paving. Sometimes you have to hack some bits loose, but especially in summer, it’s just a sweep through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
