- Mar 30, 2010
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Well, after many months of labouring at a reduced capacity (due to an operation in June), the coop has finally taken shape. It is currently housing 7 10-week old Frey's Dual-Purpose hens, and 5 22-week old Red Sex Link laying hens. It is in the bottom of a large (former) cattle barn:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651686094/" title="IMG_6541.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4651686094_9d01147131_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_6541.jpg" /></a>
This is the outdoor run, carefully predator proofed as much as possible:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651064177/" title="IMG_6530.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4651064177_7776ea1331.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6530.jpg" /></a>
And the inside. I have subsequently added a roost, an auto-watering system and a pop door for outdoor access:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651067743/" title="IMG_6540.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4651067743_9bdd01b9de_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_6540.jpg" /></a>
So, now that you have the background, here is my question. I have been wondering if the outside run is too small. The ground is concrete, and over top of that I have been keeping some straw. I throw weeds and greens and such into the run, but I'm wondering about letting them out into the barn inside. The inside is a real mess of manure, old hay, some straw, and lots of nooks and crannies. The hens have been laying in the same spot of the communal nesting box for about two weeks now.
Am I just asking for headaches by letting them out into the barn? They can't get outside, but there are plenty of places to hide inside if they wanted to. Also, from a health perspective, is scratching through 3-5 year old manure going to pose a problem? For sure there are tons of bugs and things for them to eat, but does anyone know the health implications of chickens and old cow manure?
Thanks for the help everyone!
Michael
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651686094/" title="IMG_6541.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4651686094_9d01147131_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_6541.jpg" /></a>
This is the outdoor run, carefully predator proofed as much as possible:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651064177/" title="IMG_6530.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4651064177_7776ea1331.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6530.jpg" /></a>
And the inside. I have subsequently added a roost, an auto-watering system and a pop door for outdoor access:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlorne/4651067743/" title="IMG_6540.jpg by mlorne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4651067743_9bdd01b9de_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_6540.jpg" /></a>
So, now that you have the background, here is my question. I have been wondering if the outside run is too small. The ground is concrete, and over top of that I have been keeping some straw. I throw weeds and greens and such into the run, but I'm wondering about letting them out into the barn inside. The inside is a real mess of manure, old hay, some straw, and lots of nooks and crannies. The hens have been laying in the same spot of the communal nesting box for about two weeks now.
Am I just asking for headaches by letting them out into the barn? They can't get outside, but there are plenty of places to hide inside if they wanted to. Also, from a health perspective, is scratching through 3-5 year old manure going to pose a problem? For sure there are tons of bugs and things for them to eat, but does anyone know the health implications of chickens and old cow manure?
Thanks for the help everyone!
Michael
