Coop, Run and Garden Location

[CorvusFarm]

What an outstanding primer on composting. Thanks for taking the time to write that out.

I also turn mine. I use a tarp in my coop, and online it with straw. Once a week, that gets taken to the compost heap. Wood shavings just never break down. I also like up yard clippings and green waste, too. So I get a good set of layers.

And yes, it is worth it's weight in gold!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I like this to show how simple it can be. It was made by local Master Gardeners but I'm pretty sure the guy on the guitar is a ringer. You have to love the ladies dance moves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pxaasqv3Ec

It was made in fun but there is a lot of truth in it.

 

[L.D.Sewell]

70 x 90 would be a great space for your chicken flock and garden. Gentle slope, especially if high side is on North, and low side is on South is fantastic. Gives good drainage. And a South slope warms up more and catches more light so you can plant earlier in the spring. Big issue with trees is that their roots can invade the garden and suck all the moisture and nutrients out of your soil Roots will travel farther underground than the drip line of the tree. Pine needles and cones not an issue for the chickens. Beware falling branches in storms if you park the chickens under the trees! All the leaves from your trees will give you a head start on mulch/compost for your chicken coop and your chicken run, and your garden.

If you go the tractor route, some folks make the tractor the same size as their raised garden beds so the tractor can easily be attached to the top of the bed (or sit inside it's footprint) or move between the beds. My garden is too crowded to allow a tractor in it during the growing season.

One consideration of having the garden and chicken run very close together is this: If the run is a dry and dusty affair, there will be airborne chicken dander and even feces, even in an outdoor environment. Therefore, while I would not have issue with any crops which grow above ground and need to be cooked growing immediately adjacent to the run (squash) I would not grow any crops that are intended to be eaten raw, or even crops that grow underground (salad greens, carrots) immediately adjacent to the run. Keeping a DL run will cut way down on the risk of air borne, or even soil run off contaminants being an issue.

Thanks for the great info. Considering your comments I think I may plant a row of decorative plants/flowers between the coop/run and the main garden just to help ensure there is minimal chance for airborne or runoff issues - plus will attract butterflies and bees which is good too.

 

[lazy gardener]

 

[sweetater22]

Have you considered Deep Litter in your chicken run ? By using materials similar to those on the forest floor such as wood chips twigs grass clippings etc. all layered in to a depth of at least 8" they will provide the carbon and the chickens manure will provide the green matter or nitrogen. DL will take some time to completely break down which is a good thing in the in the run making clean out a once in a year thing or less. Can go directly into the garden. DL will keep smell down and will provide a healthy bedding for your chickens. Let the chickens do the turning by continuous scratching. During wet times the DL will drain and dry on top very quickly just like the forest floor does. Good luck on your coop and run.

 

[CorvusFarm]

If you have the space to grow decorative, I might suggest growing a couple rows of grains, instead. Milo, for instance, would be great to give to the chickens in their run and cut down on your feed costs. I've planted beneficial and feed plants specifically for my chickens, and they love it.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

This is a great thread. I already have basically unlimited horse manure compost that I keep deep in my shrub and flower beds. It does sprout weeds like crazy though.

Any chicken clean outs right now are going in strips around the coop for a spring shrub bed to provide a wind break. Plus a big row of sunflowers for shade as it's a hot spot.

I haven't vegetable gardened in years but I'm feeling a bit inspired right now!