Chickens moving to an immovable run

[MKetter]

I’ve been tending my brother’s chickens since he got them. His coop is close to done. Ever since these birds were ready to go outside, they’ve been on grass and moved daily, twice daily more recently. When they go to my brother’s, he won’t be able to move them around, so the grass will soon be reduced to dirt, and they won’t have grass to eat anymore.

For those who have chickens in an immovable run, what’s your practice for this, and do you consider anything the best practice? Thank you.

Also, will the move to a new house stress them? Anything he should do for that?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

The move will stress them, but they'll rebound pretty quick. He could free range (supervised, unsupervised). I have my run, that is deep litter and then there is my chicken yard (grass, trees, fully fenced) they have access to both all the time. The only time there isn't grass is when it goes dormant for the winter.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For those who have chickens in an immovable run, what’s your practice for this, and do you consider anything the best practice?

The "best practice" is to keep the run dry as you can. A run that stays wet can soon stink and is unhealthy. How you keep the run dry depends on the soil type, drainage, and weather. In wet weather you can't do a lot about it but as long as it dries out within a few days he should be OK.

Also, will the move to a new house stress them? Anything he should do for that?

Chickens don't like change but are pretty adaptable. That means they will be upset for a few days but will soon settle in. What should he do about that? Be patient and let them get used to it. Don't freak out, panic, and do something silly.

 

[Bsmac]

I’ve been tending my brother’s chickens since he got them. His coop is close to done. Ever since these birds were ready to go outside, they’ve been on grass and moved daily, twice daily more recently. When they go to my brother’s, he won’t be able to move them around, so the grass will soon be reduced to dirt, and they won’t have grass to eat anymore.

For those who have chickens in an immovable run, what’s your practice for this, and do you consider anything the best practice? Thank you.

Also, will the move to a new house stress them? Anything he should do for that?

I use pine shavings in our dry covered run. I scoop poop daily and I change them when they start to stink. In warm humid months that is around once a month give or take. Winter considerably longer. I usually sprinkle a little garden lime when I change them too. Works well here!

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on climate, drainage, and the number of chickens for the space.

I am on sand, dry climate, 20x30 run. I have two shelters in the run, numerous roosts, platforms, and mini walls for a dozen birds. I throw quite a bit of waste hay in there, but there are bare spots. It keeps their feet cleaner which makes for cleaner eggs.

As for the change, they will get over it quicker if you just let them be.

Mrs K

 

[MKetter]

He could free range (supervised, unsupervised).

No, he lives in town, has a dog, low fences around his yard, and a violent not-all-there neighbor.

A lot depends on climate, drainage, and the number of chickens for the space.

I am on sand, dry climate, 20x30 run. I have two shelters in the run, numerous roosts, platforms, and mini walls for a dozen birds. I throw quite a bit of waste hay in there, but there are bare spots. It keeps their feet cleaner which makes for cleaner eggs.

As for the change, they will get over it quicker if you just let them be.

Mrs K

We live north of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His yard is kind of steep. The coop is up close to his house where the land is more level. There are six chickens. The run wil be 8’ x 8’ plus the space under the coop is 5’ x 6’.

He bought a heavyweight tarp to cover the run. They’ll always be able to go into or under the coop, so I don’t know if they’d need another shelter in the 8x8 part. I’ll suggest the hay to him, especially in wetter weather.

 

[MKetter]

I use pine shavings in our dry covered run. I scoop poop daily and I change them when they start to stink. In warm humid months that is around once a month give or take. Winter considerably longer. I usually sprinkle a little garden lime when I change them too. Works well here!

I’ll tell him about the pine shavings. I don’t know if he’d want to scoop poop daily. He plans to use deep litter in the coop.

 

[MKetter]

I use pine shavings in our dry covered run. I scoop poop daily and I change them when they start to stink. In warm humid months that is around once a month give or take. Winter considerably longer. I usually sprinkle a little garden lime when I change them too. Works well here!

I’ve seen First Saturday Lime ads where they say it takes care of mites and bugs. It doesn’t kill the bugs in your run? (I don’t have personal experience.)

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’ll tell him about the pine shavings. I don’t know if he’d want to scoop poop daily. He plans to use deep litter in the coop.

For the coop, actual deep litter (wet, composting system on dirt floor) or deep bedding (dry, usually a wood or concrete floor)? Unless you set up specifically for it deep litter is not ideal for most coop set ups.

Deep litter is a better choice in the run if the run location has good drainage, if the litter has a mix of different organic materials (generally with a chunky aged wood chip base for drainage and aeration), and the composting means he wouldn't have to clean out regularly if it's done properly. You mentioned there's a slope, is the run terraced or is it built somewhere flatter?

 

[MKetter]

For the coop, actual deep litter (wet, composting system on dirt floor) or deep bedding (dry, usually a wood or concrete floor)? Unless you set up specifically for it deep litter is not ideal for most coop set ups.

Deep litter is a better choice in the run if the run location has good drainage, if the litter has a mix of different organic materials (generally with a chunky aged wood chip base for drainage and aeration), and the composting means he wouldn't have to clean out regularly if it's done properly. You mentioned there's a slope, is the run terraced or is it built somewhere flatter?

The coop looks similar to this picture (which I just took from the internet). The run is not terraced. He brought in some dirt to level off the area where the run will be.