Building a 12 x 24 run, need ideas.

[Hivoltage]

Going to build a 12 x 24' chain link fence around the coop, 6' tall, top covered, and lower half covered with 1/2 hardware cloth and half of it spread to protect digging. 12 hens will be the most we ever have. It is sort of at the edge of our woods. Looking for ideas to make the place more interesting and fun for them. Thinking tree stumps, logs. branches to perch on...gotta be more stuff than that. Ideas please!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Birds enjoy low tables to sit on and go under, an area for dust bathing and digging. They definitely enjoy deep litter, so hopefully the trees leave behind lots of leaves.

 

[jthornton]

Compost bin, bird bath, leaves, grass boxes, swings... anything a chicken can explore is cool with them.

JT

 

[aart]

2x2's and branches for roosts. Logs, stumps, pallets leaned against wall or up on concrete blocks, grazing frames, old table/chairs/benches.

How are you going to cover the run?

 

[Hivoltage]

Great ideas. What is a grazing frame.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Will definitely want to see pictures when your run is done.

 

[Hivoltage]

Will do, chain link gets installed before Christmas. Then its my turn to critter proof it and add some compost and entertainment.

 

[aart]

Great ideas. What is a grazing frame.

http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

1/2" hardware cloth for grass-like leaved plants(sod and grains)
1 x 2" fencing for larger leaved plants.

When fresh planting seed I stack a second frame on top until roots are established or they pull the whole plant out.

I like the one at the top best and am converting the others over.
Ripped a half inch off the 2x4's and used it to cover mesh edges to avoid cut feet and subsequent infection (bumblefoot).

 

[Hivoltage]

http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2012/02/07/grazing-frames-backyard-chickens/

1/2" hardware cloth for grass-like leaved plants(sod and grains)
1 x 2" fencing for larger leaved plants.

When fresh planting seed I stack a second frame on top until roots are established or they pull the whole plant out.

I like the one at the top best and am converting the others over.
Ripped a half inch off the 2x4's and used it to cover mesh edges to avoid cut feet and subsequent infection (bumblefoot).

 

[Hivoltage]

That's a neat idea, definatley will build a few this spring. Guessing they just sit on the ground and plants are in the soil?