My husband is designing and building a coop for 7 chickens we'll be getting this spring. We live in the Pacific Northwest, near Portland. I've asked him to build a coop with a covered run because we get so much rain. He would like a tractor so that they can range more while being safe, and so that they don't ruin the grass in one spot. I'm not convinced we need a tractor. It just doesn't seem practice for the 5 months a year when the ground will be too wet to move it. I don't want my chickens living in a muddy swamp. Any suggestions or ideas?
Yes, in the PNW, we need covered runs. I considered a tractor, but realized that it would work better to have a larger fixed coop and run, for weather protection. Also, I don't have a large enough yard to move a tractor around w/o getting a lot of bare patches.
Mine run is 6x10. I did pick a spot in the yard that drains well.
It is covered, and this winter I covered the lower aspect of the run walls (1/2" hardware cloth) with heavy green house plastic, leaving at least a foot open at the top.
I did this to protect from winds and rain, certainly not worried about our temps.
I have sand in my covered run. This has worked well.
You can put gravel down first, but only in dry weather. It will lay on top better as the rains start. Do this if you are worried about drainage. You can put mulch or sand (if covered) on top.
My secondary outer open run has pine needles, leaves and wood chips in it; if you keep it thick enough, it stays mud free.
BTW, @ArchersMom , did you know that there is a free way to get wood chips in our general area?
http://www.chipdrop.in/login/
