We're hoping to attach a covered run to one side of our coop this year, so maybe some of our plans/ideas could help you
We've already dug out a good chunk of the clay & fashioned a stone French drain toward a lower part of the yard. Previously, if it rained, the flock could use the plank as a diving board into their own private swimming pool. So far this spring, it seems to be working well
The plan is to build 2' x 5' x 6"-8" grow boxes covered with 1/2" hardware cloth which would be permanent. This way they can graze on whatever grows above the hardware cloth, but can't scratch out the roots. They would also help fertilize them. I expect to seed them with alfalfa, flax. clovers, perennial grass & whatever's leftover of the seeds for my garden (basil/parsley/oregano etc). The annuals can change from year to year.
In between they would have pathways of shavings, wood chips etc. except close to the coop where I'm putting 2 bins for dust baths. The bin idea passed the trial run in the coop this winter. We'll just have to see if the shavings/chips work. If not, we'll do sand.
We also need to leave an area for "cooling pools" for the summer. We'll use a couple of patio tiles to put a couple of turkey roasters on.
Good luck
We've already dug out a good chunk of the clay & fashioned a stone French drain toward a lower part of the yard. Previously, if it rained, the flock could use the plank as a diving board into their own private swimming pool. So far this spring, it seems to be working well
The plan is to build 2' x 5' x 6"-8" grow boxes covered with 1/2" hardware cloth which would be permanent. This way they can graze on whatever grows above the hardware cloth, but can't scratch out the roots. They would also help fertilize them. I expect to seed them with alfalfa, flax. clovers, perennial grass & whatever's leftover of the seeds for my garden (basil/parsley/oregano etc). The annuals can change from year to year.
In between they would have pathways of shavings, wood chips etc. except close to the coop where I'm putting 2 bins for dust baths. The bin idea passed the trial run in the coop this winter. We'll just have to see if the shavings/chips work. If not, we'll do sand.
We also need to leave an area for "cooling pools" for the summer. We'll use a couple of patio tiles to put a couple of turkey roasters on.
Good luck
