mellieandthepastries
Chirping
Hello Everyone! I have a couple of questions regarding my chicken run that I hope you'll be able to help me with:
1. I have a coop and run on the property I live on but it hasn't been used for a good 6 years or so. The ground was completely overrun with weeds - which I was able to get out. The ground is now just dirt with the greenery growing in. Do I need to put anything on the ground (sand, pine shavings, etc) or can I just let the chickens use it as is? I see so many different answers that I'm not sure what to go with.
2. The run itself needs work. I'm definitely getting rid of the weird gates and building something better. The previous owner used it for chickens and goats. The fencing needs to be reinforced but I also need to get smaller hardware cloth because this fencing is too large (it was electrified but that's gone now). There is a small overhang for them to go into when it rains but I'm thinking maybe we should just put a roof over the whole thing so it doesn't get muddy or filled with snow in the winter. Oh, and it's 24'X15'. Maybe I should just make the run smaller?
I'm basically doing all of this work on my own (my husband is a full-time student and works full time so his free time is very limited). So take it easy on me.
I'll be getting 6 pullets in May. I'm not planning on free-ranging them because there is no fence around the property (3 acres) and I'm afraid I will lose them. Plus predators.
The pictures are of what the run looks like plus what the ground looks like (plus an adorable pup haha).
Thank you so much for your help!
1. I have a coop and run on the property I live on but it hasn't been used for a good 6 years or so. The ground was completely overrun with weeds - which I was able to get out. The ground is now just dirt with the greenery growing in. Do I need to put anything on the ground (sand, pine shavings, etc) or can I just let the chickens use it as is? I see so many different answers that I'm not sure what to go with.
2. The run itself needs work. I'm definitely getting rid of the weird gates and building something better. The previous owner used it for chickens and goats. The fencing needs to be reinforced but I also need to get smaller hardware cloth because this fencing is too large (it was electrified but that's gone now). There is a small overhang for them to go into when it rains but I'm thinking maybe we should just put a roof over the whole thing so it doesn't get muddy or filled with snow in the winter. Oh, and it's 24'X15'. Maybe I should just make the run smaller?
I'm basically doing all of this work on my own (my husband is a full-time student and works full time so his free time is very limited). So take it easy on me.
I'll be getting 6 pullets in May. I'm not planning on free-ranging them because there is no fence around the property (3 acres) and I'm afraid I will lose them. Plus predators.
The pictures are of what the run looks like plus what the ground looks like (plus an adorable pup haha).
Thank you so much for your help!