Timber size for walk in run

[chris]

Thought I'd bump this, and update the thread - I like looking at piccies, I'm sure some of you do!

Got the stump out (very hard work!) as decided I wanted to drop the level anyway - in doing so I'd pretty much got underneath the stump:



Eventually dug the rest of the earth out, put the fence posts in:



Had a bit of help!!


Ruined a veg bed, by dumping the stupid amount of earth I dug out (would have been easier to blooming take the fence panels out and hire a mini digger looking back):



Contiuned below...

[chris]

Concrete laid (ordered too much, so the level is higher than I wanted it grr!):


Panels (as advised by others above - thanks) created and fitted:


Roof frame assembled:


View from above:


Continued below...

[chris]

Bit of a rubbish photo, but it was getting dark, roof on and trimmed (damn stuff split a bit, so I'll have to patch that up and buy a new pair of scissors as I've blunted them doing this!):


Just waiting for the mesh to be delivered (hopefully today), then I'll staple the mesh on (didn't think about doing the roof... so I'll probably do that from the inside now as I'm not removing it!!!) and fix the panels in (they're loose at the moment). I've also got to pick up a couple more lengths of timber to finish the back panel as I ran out..

Hopefully it should be pretty secure, I've used heavy duty timber (roof can take my weight) all around, the panels are made of 1.5" x 2" so shouldn't warp (the original door was, as you may see, but I've fixed that now (hence why I ran out of wood!) - its turned out slightly larger than originally planned, but that's a bonus anyway (was a pain to get timber the right length for the panels though - had to get them cut specifically.

Inspired by Flum's run, and you lot for help - so thanks [my bank isn't thanking you though ].

It'll be just for when we're away/out, they have access to the garden all other time! Planning on leaving the pophole open all the time, so they can go in and out as they please when we're asleep. I need to create some sort of mini door for them at some point, but will do that later I think. I have a spring to pull the door shut, but can't figure out how it works (it's too tense) so perhaps will add that at a later date too.

[Mikey]

You've been a busy boy I see Chris. I'm going to ask a really silly question now cos I can't tell from the photo, but your clear roof does run out beyond your fence panelling doesn't it?

[chris]

Nah it stops probably 3/4 inches short of it, a gutter is going to run along there, not decided where I'm going to channel it too.. probably straight down then spew it out across the pavement

Edit: thought that a passer by getting soaked would probably annoy them/be against the law heh... didn't want to soak the fence more than normal either.

[Mikey]

Could you not collect it for drinking water for the chooks?

[chris]

I could collect it, yes - will require some work (digging ground level again) etc, might do in the future.. I think that the cooks need fresh water - that hasn't been contaminated with wild bird poo, some disease can be passed to them or something (I think?).

But it has crossed my mind aye! Found out I need guttering above the door, as I got soaked this morning when checked it out heh

[Flummery]

What a brilliant use of a strange shaped bit of garden! We have a water butt draining our roof - great, because it's next to the veg beds!

[Mikey]

If you had a false base in your butt, like a fine sieve with a quantity of sand inside wouldn't it filter the water for you?

[chris]

I'm not sure - probably one to ask the experts

BTW, still haven't seen the bloke with the chooks... have you got yours yet?

[Mikey]

No, coop arrives next monday, and we'll go and pick up chooks on Saturday so DD can to a certain extent pick and name them.

I've got a lot to do before then, so lets hope it stops raining soon!!!!

[chris]

Ah, sorry I couldn't get hold of the chap! Where are you getting 'em from? Welshegg?

[chris]

Oh yes, the farm shop I mentioned via PM, beech farm sells large shavings bales for £7.99 if you decide that route rather than thingy/hemp bedding

[Mikey]

I'm not sure what to use to be honest Chris, as my run won't be covered like yours. I'm assuming the auboise stuff is not suitable for being out in the rain.

The chooks will have a small area under the coop to get out of the rain but the rest of the run will be exposed.

As mad as this sounds I still haven't decided where to get my chooks from, Welsh egg is an option, but I have also been looking at a couple of small local suppliers, and I'm waiting on a number from my muck supplier of someone literally 1 mile from me. They haven't got an internet presence and I don't know them.

I might be well off course but, I get the feeling that Welshegg really won't be interested if there are any problems further down the line, whereas a local supplier might be more prepared to help. If anything the cost of Welshegg chooks are so cheap they are putting me off.

[chris]

indeed, all they want is your money - they don't let you choose, I went with a mate, and they just literally STUFFED 3 birds in a box, and handed them him. The dude behind the till is a drip too i'm up on the plot this weekend, so I'll time it with when he puts his chooks away to see ifI can find out