Anyone use a concrete pad in run? Suggestions? Advice. Newbie

[Frazzemrat1]

New England weather is amost never dry!lol. I might be able to remove part of the cement so they get a little dirt,...plus I’ll add dust baths...and let them out, if they are good girls and don’t run away. Do chickens run away if you let them loose for an hour or so, supervised?
It’s scary raising something new!lol

Where in New England are you? You don't have it on your profile... As you can see under my avatar, I'm also in New England.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

Where in New England are you? You don't have it on your profile... As you can see under my avatar, I'm also in New England.

SOuthshore, MASS.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

The cold would be my greatest reason for never choosing to build a coop/run on a concrete base. Unless there was a very deep footing, the concrete wouldn't last more than 2 seasons. And, it would be a very cold base for the DL to rest on. For DL to work well, it needs to have contact with the soil. Though, you can inoculate it with soil microbes, which will help. Concrete would be a more viable option where the ground was not frozen 6 months of the year.

This was a concrete pad we installed 20 years ago for a kennel for our English Mastiffs. Its survived a long time without a crack. My husband really thinks this is the best idea...and I think Ill add straw onto, and then add all the grass clippings and leaves I can gather.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

I find that the more freedom they have, the farther they range. You should be fine to let them out for supervised range time if you do so towards the end of the day. They tend to stay close to the coop at that time.

I've been giving my flock freedom almost all day long. At mid day, I have to grab a broom and go "sweep them" out of the road and off the neighbor's property. They have 4 acres to roam, but apparently, that's not sufficient.

My yard is bordered by hundreds of acres of wetland...foxes,hawks, raccoons, coyotes, feral cats and rats....you name it..it lurks out there. Thank you for the "late in the day suggestion". I will remember that when I finally get them out.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I also let my girls out onto the grass after I get home from work. I keep them on my property, and they go up on their own at night. I don't let them out when nobody is home to keep an eye on them.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

I also let my girls out onto the grass after I get home from work. I keep them on my property, and they go up on their own at night. I don't let them out when nobody is home to keep an eye on them.

I’m hoping that will work for me too. I’m glad it’s wotking for you. Gives me hope! Lol

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I’m hoping that will work for me too. I’m glad it’s wotking for you. Gives me hope! Lol

To elaborate. If its nice out, I let them out. During winter, I didn't. If its raining, I don't.

 

[Howard E]

My yard is bordered by hundreds of acres of wetland...foxes,hawks, raccoons, coyotes, feral cats and rats....you name it..it lurks out there. Thank you for the "late in the day suggestion". I will remember that when I finally get them out.

If you have all that going on, you probably also have weasels, minks or one of the cousins. Another good reason for the cement pad to stop the rats from building tunnels and also to prevent access from digging predators, like weasels, that are attracted by the rodents, then transition to your birds.

And with all that, better use 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth, or my preference, 1/2" x 1" cage wire, which is heavier and stronger. (also much more expensive).

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

If you have all that going on, you probably also have weasels, minks or one of the cousins. Another good reason for the cement pad to stop the rats from building tunnels and also to prevent access from digging predators, like weasels, that are attracted by the rodents, then transition to your birds.

And with all that, better use 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth, or my preference, 1/2" x 1" cage wire, which is heavier and stronger. (also much more expensive).

You know, the one thing I haven’t seen are weasels. I have heard fisher cats ...but no weasels.
I ordered the 1/2 “x 1” wire, heavy gauge. It was tough to find!
Thank you for the suggestion.
I can’t wait to put the girls outside...brooding boxes in the house is a messy ordeal! People are correct when they say the dust is unbelievable! Lol.
How much feathering do we need. According to the store they are 4 weeks old, but they look pretty feathered to me!

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

To elaborate. If its nice out, I let them out. During winter, I didn't. If its raining, I don't.

I agree, bad weather,...we can all stay indoors