Creating a chicken run! 0 experience!

[sideway run]

Right well the aim is to create a chicken run in under a week! it is quite a large space and I intend to dig it all up, slant the clayey earth so it drains away from the house, place a 1 inch layer of gravel to help with draining, replace some soil, then finally place another layer of wood chipping, any suggestions or tips will be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance,
Chris .

before:

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! I have zero experience with building a run, but if it isn't covered you may want to use sand instead of wood chips. Good luck.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Chris, and

! Great to have you aboard! Sounds to me like you have it all figured out. Will the birds always have at least some shade, somewhere in the run? If not, that would be my only suggestion. Good luck to you and have fun!

 

[sideway run]

I am going to put a coop at the back so that will do as shade?

as for the sand, one question why?

 

[mondotomhead]

That is a nice run "to be"!

I think they would like the dirt just how it is without the wood shavings. Maybe do half with shavings and leaving the rest for the chickens to scratch in a take dust baths. Also, I would put netting over the top or string narrow rope to keep out the flying critters like hawks.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't think one inch of gravel will help much with clay. I had dogs years ago and we had cheap, clay fill brought in to level the ground if dropped off steeply before. We added several inches of gravel every year and the drainage was fantastic. The dogs are long gone, and weeds have taken over that area so chickens would have something to nibble on.

Is that a downspout I see in the run area? If so that will keep the run muddy and damp.

I think chickens would be more content in a square run than long narrow long one - that would just be walking back and forth over their droppings. In a square they could spread out. They should have a covered run because anything climbing on your house/roof will end up in the run. Also with all that wood fencing and side of the house the poor chickens don't get to see anything, just a tunnel.

 

[CedarAcres]

Definitely make sure they have plenty of shade!

Welcome to BYC!

 

[BantamFan4Life]