Cement and Asphalt

[Dazedandconfused]

I am prepping to build a run onto an existing barn. The interior stall of the barn that will be used as their coop has a cement floor. The exterior area that will be used as the base of run is a large cement slab. Adjacent to the cement slab is a huge area of asphalt. I can’t “bury” the protective apron around the outside of the run. Since nothing can dig under the run, do I still need to extend an apron outside? If so, how do I secure it?
thanks! Dazedandconfused

 

[21hens-incharge]

Concrete and asphalt are not ideal for chickens feet or long term keeping.

Chickens need to scratch around in the dirt and be able to dust bathe. Concrete certainly won't allow that. It will however contribute to bumble foot issues.

Is there any other space their run could go?

 

[DobieLover]

I agree with @21hens-incharge. Cement and asphalt are not good for chickens to live on.
If that is the only place to put the run, I'd rent a jack hammer and remove the concrete/asphalt.

 

[Dazedandconfused]

Concrete and asphalt are not ideal for chickens feet or long term keeping.

Chickens need to scratch around in the dirt and be able to dust bathe. Concrete certainly won't allow that. It will however contribute to bumble foot issues.

Is there any other space their run could go?

Thanks for the info. I plan to allow them to free range quite a bit as they get older. They are 5 weeks old currently and I put them in a small, mobile run daily. Will that solve the issues with scratching And Bumblefoot?

My only other option would be to build a coop and run from scratch. That doesn’t seem fiscally responsible when I have this huge area in a barn for their coop.

Would adding dirt and sand to the floor of the run help? I have access to both. Oh...currently they have a dust bath that I made out of a huge litter box in the area they live. They love it!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks for the info. I plan to allow them to free range quite a bit as they get older. They are 5 weeks old currently and I put them in a small, mobile run daily. Will that solve the issues with scratching And Bumblefoot?

My only other option would be to build a coop and run from scratch. That doesn’t seem fiscally responsible when I have this huge area in a barn for their coop.

Would adding dirt and sand to the floor of the run help? I have access to both. Oh...currently they have a dust bath that I made out of a huge litter box in the area they live. They love it!

Since you have dirt available.....

You might be able to get away with using 2x12's around the bottom of the planned run space and filling with dirt.

One HUGE thing to consider is if the barn roof slopes toward that area it can quickly become mud soup.

I really think removing the concrete and asphalt, as @DobieLover suggested, in the run area would be the least troublesome long term solution.

While the weather may be ok now think of the wettest coldest times you experience there and potentially having to confine them due to predators in the area.

 

[Dazedandconfused]

If I do decide to build with the current situation, do I need to add an apron around the Run?

If I remove the asphalt and cement and build the run in that spot, wouldn’t I still have to address the drainage issue from the barn roof?

So many things to consider. I appreciate all tips and comments !

 

[21hens-incharge]

If/when the cement is removed if a line is cut just outside the planned fencing the remaining cement and asphalt would be equivalent to an apron.

Yes barn roof run off is a HUGE thing to consider. Many people would add gutters to the barn and perhaps a roof over the run.

Removing the cement there would allow SOME drainage into the soil.

Lots and lots to think about for sure.

Perhaps the biggest thing is what the long term plans are with the chickens. Whether you plan to expand the flock, breed birds, raise meat birds etc should all go into the planning.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My main criteria when trying to locate a coop and run is drainage. If water drains away you are OK. If water drains to it or sets there you have issues. Look at that area after a rain. Does water set there or does it go away?

A concrete floor in the coop has some advantages. It never rots, really low maintenance. It can keep burrowing animals out. It's a heat sink/thermal mass. probably cooler in summer but maybe colder in winter. The issue with it being hard is a simple fix, use plenty of bedding.

The run being concrete is a bit different. It can get really hot in the sun. Asphalt will be worse. Not sure how big an area you are talking about for the run or how feasible a lot of bedding out there would be. I don't have a big issue with a concrete floored coop, a run could be more problematic. Asphalt, well no.

I personally would not have a problem with some of the run being concrete, maybe as a path to get the rest of the run to dirt. Or can you cut a pop door in that barn wall to use dirt as a run? But pure concrete run? Not unless it was buried in several inches or dirt or sand.

On your question

do I still need to extend an apron outside? If so, how do I secure it?

Depends on what the bottom of your run looks like. If it is something like a 2x4 that sits firmly on the concrete so nothing can get under, you don't need anything on concrete. If you are planning on a wire run that is loose enough something could force its way under the fence an apron might be a good idea. I've seen critters like possum and skunks squeeze under a wire fence that you'd never believe they had room. Many critters can climb over a fence too.

How to secure it? Depends on what the wire looks like. I use J-Clips a lot. If you are in the US and have a Tractor Supply nearby they should have J-Clips and the tool to use them in the Rabbit section. J-Clips are traditionally used to build rabbit cages. if the wire is too big of a diameter for J-Clips hog rings work well. Or you can use wire, either thread long strips of wire to "sew" the two wire fencing sections together or use short strips to attach the two wires by twisting.

Another method I've used is to bend the bottom 12" to 18" of the fence to a 90 degree angle. That depends some on the wire you are using, for most of them it's not that hard. Of course you need to be concerned with fence height too. That depends on how you build it.

 

[Big Doggie]

If I do decide to build with the current situation, do I need to add an apron around the Run?

If I remove the asphalt and cement and build the run in that spot, wouldn’t I still have to address the drainage issue from the barn roof?

So many things to consider. I appreciate all tips and comments !

Led Zep fan?

 

[SuadAnny]

That wouldn't be nice for your buddies