Need help designing an irregular-shaped covered run

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Ostrich and Jack Russel Terrier?

 

[DobieLover]

Probably close to same in MA, but for a run?
I'd go a couple feet ....and the flare is a very good idea.

You don't have nosy neighbors turning you in for every little thing you do. I build EVERYTHING to code with pictures... just in case. It doesn't hurt that everything on my building permit has passed without issue.

 

[K0k0shka]

You don't have nosy neighbors turning you in for every little thing you do. I build EVERYTHING to code with pictures... just in case. It doesn't hurt that everything on my building permit has passed without issue.

Oh... interesting. Hmmm, hadn't thought of that. Can I really get in trouble for a chicken run? It's not like it's a building or anything... I don't know. I was very strict with the coop itself, everything is to code there including the shingled roof. I'll rent the auger and go as deep as it will go, but I'm not sure how much deeper I'll be able to manually dig after that.

 

[K0k0shka]

Also, @DobieLover , now that you're back Can you tell me about your run litter method? I've read about the combination of wood chips, poop, grass clippings and other yard debris mixing in with rainwater and being turned over by the birds to eventually form compost. But I was wondering how all that works when there's no rainwater in the equation, when the run has a roof. What do you do then? Does it compost? Or do you have to clean it out more often? Should I still throw yard waste in, and scratch grains to encourage the chickens to mix it up? I really like the idea of a covered run, but don't want to end up with mounds of poop that will need frequent cleaning...

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Oh... interesting. Hmmm, hadn't thought of that. Can I really get in trouble for a chicken run? It's not like it's a building or anything... I don't know. I was very strict with the coop itself, everything is to code there including the shingled roof. I'll rent the auger and go as deep as it will go, but I'm not sure how much deeper I'll be able to manually dig after that.

You need to check with your town or city. If you build something that requires a permit you run the risk of having to tear it down. Also, ordinances in municipalities differ, are you sure you can have chickens and what are the restrictions.

 

[DobieLover]

I'll rent the auger and go as deep as it will go

You read my coop build article and you're still going to try an auger??!! I hope your soil is more agreeable than mine!

 

[DobieLover]

Also, @DobieLover , now that you're back Can you tell me about your run litter method? I've read about the combination of wood chips, poop, grass clippings and other yard debris mixing in with rainwater and being turned over by the birds to eventually form compost. But I was wondering how all that works when there's no rainwater in the equation, when the run has a roof. What do you do then? Does it compost? Or do you have to clean it out more often? Should I still throw yard waste in, and scratch grains to encourage the chickens to mix it up? I really like the idea of a covered run, but don't want to end up with mounds of poop that will need frequent cleaning...

I just have 4 to 6 inches of wood chips in the run. Moisture still wicks into the soil from below and the chickens still dig around and mix everything up. My run doesn't stink at all.

 

[K0k0shka]

You need to check with your town or city. If you build something that requires a permit you run the risk of having to tear it down. Also, ordinances in municipalities differ, are you sure you can have chickens and what are the restrictions.

I checked before I began, yes - I am allowed to keep chickens, even roosters (as long as the roosters don't bother the neighbors). I don't need a permit to build a coop, shed or any other structure that's less than 120 square feet. Code says any building over 600 square feet requires footings. My run won't be that big but I think it will need footings anyway. So given that it technically doesn't require them, I don't know if it needs to meet the footing requirements exactly... I'll ask just in case.

 

[K0k0shka]

You read my coop build article and you're still going to try an auger??!! I hope your soil is more agreeable than mine!

I know, busting through rocks is gonna suck either way, but better fight with an auger and have some hope of getting through this faster, than do it all manually and destroy myself (or have to ask/pay somebody else to do it and have them hate me for life). I'll ask the folks at Home Depot what they think about it. If they have it for rent, means somebody's using it in this soil, means it's not impossible...

 

[K0k0shka]

I just have 4 to 6 inches of wood chips in the run. Moisture still wicks into the soil from below and the chickens still dig around and mix everything up. My run doesn't stink at all.

Very good to hear, thanks!