Chicken Run

[bluemoon]

We are currently in the process of making our first run for the allotment. Unfortunately the ground had to be dug over and levelled to allow the run to lie flush. Our first hens will be here late May/early June so I'd like to sow grass in the run soon to allow it to establish. I've seen a 'Herbal Mix' in the Organic catalogue. This is basically a grass mixture with certain herbs and plants added, it is blended for grazing animals, especially goats. Would this be a good thing for the run or am I better of with bog-standard grass?

We are building the run ourselves so we can alter our plans if necessary. It is about 15ftx10ft, but will have the housing in it taking up some of the space. There will be six hens. Is this large enough? Would it be better to section it off so that they can use half, then move to the other half to allow the grass to recover? There is room to make it longer, but not wider. It is around 6ft high, would it be a good idea to put logs in there for the hens to climb on/scratch at? And should we roof all of it or just part of it?

[janeyo]

Hi our first run was grassed and was only 6x6 but we had to move them every week as within the week they had torn up ALL the grass. They are now in a 25x25 run and when the grass goes from there we will be looking at putting down alternatives, like bark or straw etc.
I think if you go to the bother of grassing it just for them you will soon find the grass gone! Hens just scratch all day, it's what they do!

It does help to have 2 runs but even so the grass from each takes about 6 weeks to recover.

I would be more inclined to look at alternative flooring for them. The size of run you are planning will be fine for 6 hens.

janeyo

ps we only have 3 chickens

[yoanbob]

yup your grass will gone in no time no matter what you do, but it is better to section them and keep moving them, we used a herbal grassmix and they loved it but it wont last long.
any thing you put in the run to amuse id good, a lettuce hung up so they have to jump to get it is very entertaining

[Rooster]

Hi our first run was grassed and was only 6x6 but we had to move them every week as within the week they had torn up ALL the grass. They are now in a 25x25 run and when the grass goes from there we will be looking at putting down alternatives, like bark or straw etc.
I think if you go to the bother of grassing it just for them you will soon find the grass gone! Hens just scratch all day, it's what they do!

It does help to have 2 runs but even so the grass from each takes about 6 weeks to recover.

I would be more inclined to look at alternative flooring for them. The size of run you are planning will be fine for 6 hens.

janeyo

ps we only have 3 chickens

I agree dont even try to keep grass in a run it wont last, we us aubiose which is a hemp based horse bedding. It is grat at keeping smell down and makes cleaning much easier as it absorbs moisture. Wood chip or bark can get a mould which is bad for chucks.



you can just about see it in the pic, hope this helps

Rooster

[Snadger]

My run is about the same size and i have just finished making it fox proof (hopefully) by fully enclosing it in strong mesh. I have no chooks yet but hope to be getting 6 RIR very soon.
I will try a general purpose grass mix but have the intention of building an Ark for them as well to suit the size of my veg beds (12 foot by 4 foot). Hopefully this will alleviate the wear a bit and help clean and manure my veg beds.

[roitelet]

How about a flexible run Snadger?

Built mine about a year ago and it works a treat and fits on the veg plot as well. The house goes inside it and it is raised of the ground so the chooks can go under it.

The panels are 2m x 1m and held upright with the metal tension bars for chain link fencing. One panel has a gate in it and the whole thing is covered on top with fruit netting to stop them getting out.

Please note Eric the Stroppy Cockerel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I don't seem to have got the hang of attaching images that will expand.

[bluemoon]

My run is about the same size and i have just finished making it fox proof (hopefully) by fully enclosing it in strong mesh. I have no chooks yet but hope to be getting 6 RIR very soon.
I will try a general purpose grass mix but have the intention of building an Ark for them as well to suit the size of my veg beds (12 foot by 4 foot). Hopefully this will alleviate the wear a bit and help clean and manure my veg beds.

That's a really good idea, Snadger. We too are getting 6 RIR in a couple of months. The allotment regulations state that we have to have fixed, raised housing and a run, but they say nothing about them staying in it. A bit of creative interpretation of the rules and this ark idea could work.

[Hope@51b]

Re the fox equation. I understand that you need to set any wiring - that's not the electrical kind! - around 2 foot down to stand a chance of it being successful. As far as a per sq footage goes, you might find some help on Hugh's Chicken Run info - remember the series? He quoted various details regarding spacing and such; you could also just go on google and I bet there will be some info on there. We are looking into the possibility of operating a chicken rearing scheme on our allotment site; it has to be possible and cost effective though and getting some co-operation amongst those interested is essential.

[Tracey]

I was advised that if you have a fixed run to divide it into 2 areas so that you can alternate and let one side recover. I'm having an enclosed run built in June. Before it's built I'm going to mark out the area and along the edges I'm going to plant things that they can eat the tips of like wheat grass. Over this I'm going to lay wooden frames about 2 inches high with chicken wire stapled on top. The plan is that the chickens can eat the fresh growth without scratching the plants up.

Does any one has any ideas of other plants that would grow through chicken wire that the chickens would like?

Tracey

[kirsty b]

Can't think of any Tracey, but loving your edging idea. Might have to do something like that for my girls.

[lainey lou]

Fantastic idea Tracey, looking forward to hearing more suggestions!
I'm logging all this good advice to memory for when I get my hens in June.