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Balfour system

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by Irishhenman, Nov 30, 2013.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 30, 2013 #1
    Irishhenman

    Irishhenman Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 2, 2013
    Ireland
    Does anyone else use this system for their hens. I have started using it this year. I am finding it brilliant and my small flock of young RIRs seem to like it as well. I have two runs one is roughly 10m by 4m and the other is about 8m by 8m as well as a small scratching run of about 4 m by 2m. Currently the scratching run is mostly made up of lawn cuttings, autumn leaves, their dirty bedding and weeds from the garden. I through whole wheat around the scratching run just to encourage scratching a bit more and I turn all the vegetation over every week with a sprong. My plan is to empty out the scratching run in late spring and use it as compost.

    does anyone else use this system, I have used others but this is my favourite so far. please share your experiences.

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    1 person likes this.
  3. Nov 30, 2013 #2
    ChickensAreSweet

    ChickensAreSweet Heavenly Grains for Hens

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    Jun 8, 2010
    Pacific NW- where the Douglas Firs grow
    I do have two pens for my large fowl and can close them out of either side. It is very nice to be able to do it, but right now they are using both sides.

    Sometimes the ground needs a rest!
     
  5. Dec 1, 2013 #3
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler! Premium Member

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    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    Had to look up 'Balfour Method'.
    It makes good sense. especially for vegetable gardens, rotating every other year with 2 pens.

    I have a run and don't really garden (won't work for garlic beds, which is all I grow for now), but I plan on using rotating electronetted pastures off my main run eventually. Main run will be the full time 'chicken yard', pastures will rotate off a gate in the yard.
     

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