New Coop

[Liza]

Ok so I have orderd my house and coop, I am presuming I creocote it before I put it together ?

How often does it need to be done ? Do the mites only infest the untreated wood ?

I will be putting my Coop and run on hard standing and letting them out when I am home. What can I use on the floor of the run that wont encourage mites but is nice and soft for the chooks feet ?

[RichmondHens]

It is a good idea to creocote before putting it together. You may not then need to do it again for most of the year. A thorough soaking of the stuff into all the joints and cracks will keep them at bay for quite a long time. We find once a year is usually enough in our houses. Just make sure the house is properly dried out and aired before introducing any hens.

If the run is to stand permanently on a concrete base (or similar) I would suggest a bed of wood chip in the run which the hens can scratch about it. If you can cover part of the run so there is a permanent dry area that they can use to dustbathe in, that would be good too. Just make sure your run is going to be big enough if they are to be in there most of the time.

[Liza]

Thanks RH

[dexterdoglancashire]

I plan in my new run to have hardwood chips down (bit expensive at £12.50 a sack, but want to put it in part of the run, also Im going to put some flags down the middle to the coop, so I wont get muddy feet when I go and collect eggs/clean the girls out. Haven't decided whatelse to put down. I've still got loads of straw to use up. Have got a small "tree" so the girls can use it to climb up on.
Does anyone have any further ideas?

[Suechooks]

Tyres logs and pallets are useful perches - my girls have their own little assault courses!!!

[Flummery]

I plan in my new run to have hardwood chips down (bit expensive at £12.50 a sack, but want to put it in part of the run, also Im going to put some flags down the middle to the coop, so I wont get muddy feet when I go and collect eggs/clean the girls out. Haven't decided whatelse to put down. I've still got loads of straw to use up. Have got a small "tree" so the girls can use it to climb up on.
Does anyone have any further ideas?

Won't hardwood take yonks to compost down eventually? I try to get softwood - mainly it ends up on paths but some inevitably gets scooped up for the compost bin.

[Snadger]

Won't hardwood take yonks to compost down ...................

Depends how long a yonk is?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Won't hardwood take yonks to compost down eventually? I try to get softwood - mainly it ends up on paths but some inevitably gets scooped up for the compost bin.

Not a problem, its been good the stuff Ive used so far, what with all the rain we've been having.

Tyres? No problems, I can get some from work!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Which site did you order your coop from Liza?

[Liza]

E Bay.....

[Flummery]

Depends how long a yonk is?

People of my age () don't have time for long composting! I don't buy green bananas any more!

[Liza]

People of my age () don't have time for long composting! I don't buy green bananas any more!

Flummery dont be daft, your posts always make me chuckle.

[Liza]

Yay..... got home from work yesterday and coop had arrived, only ordered it last Thursday !

Spent a few hours thoroughly creocoating half of it and hope to finish it today and put it together at the weekend

[BUFFS]

hi flummery,people my age dont pay into xmas clubs...you never get what you want and its too far away..live for today

[dexterdoglancashire]

Yay..... got home from work yesterday and coop had arrived, only ordered it last Thursday !

Spent a few hours thoroughly creocoating half of it and hope to finish it today and put it together at the weekend

0646am? You are keen Liza! Sounds like youve had a really productive time. Mr DDL and I will be starting the run on Saturday morning. Can't wait to see your photos!