Need help with concrete chicken run!

[raingarden]

I wanted to do a rotational run so split the dirt area in 2 and have them switch between so when they ruin one side, they can have the other side to switch to while the other regrows back. That would be a 36 sq area for the chickens. Too small? Any advice would be welcomed!

I think you underestimate how quickly the chickens will turn it into bare dirt. You could give them 100 square feet per bird and they'd still desroy it long before the other paddock could grow back.

 

[3KillerBs]

Would it be too big to do all wood chips and bedding like you said on a space that’s 7x10+? Uncovered except for under the raised coop?

That depends on how you source your bedding.

Tree-trimmer chips are often free by the truckload.

Buying bagged mulch (PLAIN, not dyed and without fertilizer or other additives), can get pricey.

 

[SituationalLefty]

So glad you posted this thread as it applies to my situation too. And thanks to all who have posted.

https://getchipdrop.com/
This site matches local tree companies with you to drop wood chips (fresh, not dried) to your house. Free. You have to be flexible with timings and you may not be able to specify what wood is being used (although you can ask).

Using a long spirit level (or a short one on a board) figure out whether your concrete pad is level, crowned (high in the middle), or sloped. That may tell you how (and in which direction) it drains. Even level concrete pads, over time, shift (and yours looks like it's been there awhile). Water from a garden hose will give you similar information but is less reliable about subtle grades.

To my eye (and this may be distortion in the photo) the area runs off to the right of the picture close to your fence. As someone else said, don't butt your run up to the fence. The moss growth looks like water drains to the right. There are newish looking fence posts there, which may suggest that the previous ones needed replaced - which in turn suggests water drains that-away.

If it drains to the right, you could facilitate water movement by trenching between the 4 x 4 fenceposts posts (only a few inches).

Make sure the bottom boards are pressure-treated. 8 x 10 x 1s or 2s may work well. If you're worried about chemicals, ask the seller what the chemicals are (nix on arsenates) are or spring for boron-treated which is bright blue but safe. You could also invest in a rot-resistant wood like cedar or redwood. (Since you're in the PNW, they may be reasonably priced.) A good source of used redwood is often junked picnic tables (but check that the wood's not just painted red).

Good luck! My planned run is on a slightly sloping brick patio that drains well.

Lisa

 

[chickensofthesea]

I have a concrete poop pad lol. Its covered by their coop and I did that for predator reasons. Their actual run is dirt. I use wood shavings on the concrete and scrape the mess up a few times a year and repeat.I am considering this same setup. My couple is elevated with a enclosed run that allows them access under the coop. Have you tried the deep litter method on your concrete flooring? My slab drains away from the coop but just curious if you have any issues with moisture not draining properly due to the concrete?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Not with this particular setup on purpose but I have made some lovely compost accidentally. I don't rotate it and I don't dump shavings on it but when I do occasionally muck it out I replace the stinky black stuff with wood chips and I will say that it is great for compost. Like I said, it's under the coop so it's a real chore to get under there and scrape it out so I leave it for a year or so. You could definitely do deep litter with a concrete run but it won't be as quick to break down. My last setup had concrete in part of the run and it ended up getting a lot of bedding tracked over it and that made lovely black compost as well.

 

[paintedChix]

This turned long... grab a cuppa (doggit, won't let me use emojis till I fix phone & byc account)

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I would turn the whole cement pad (7x10?. 70 Sq ft?) into the coop & run. As others have stated, you can do the deep woodchip & other natural products as the bedding. Going to see if you posted sizes? I think you did...

To prevent boredom & to save the rest of the yard paddocks (can still do two?), you can build several "grazing boxes" & plant in them. Greens grow through the wire on top. Maybe some veg - don't know your growing zone. Also hanging a food "cage" - that can house good weeds for them to peck at. Hanging it means they have to follow it. Hanging apples & heads of Cabbage. Cauliflower & brocolli don't work well - break apart & fall off the string when they start pecking at it.

Build 2 "food towers" - putting a roost between...

Once again my phone has grayed out my icons so can't do an ez link. Copy & paste!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-food-tower.1480872/

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If you garden or want to get started, keep the garden box, add buckets & bags & grow. You can protect the plants & still use the yard as runs. If you plant in the ground, fruit shrubs, protect them, too. If you rent or plan to sell, pot up in larger buckets or containers. When moving, can transfer as bare roots & sawdust.

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Even w/ concrete for base in run, if you want to create compost w/ your run bedding, you can. The woodchips best for base. Build a small compost bin, a ring of wire will work, cardboard boxes - a larger one or cut a couple pallets in 1/2 to make 4 sided bin. Add whole or shredded cardboard, yard & garden waste, food scraps, what you pull out of your coop or off the poop boards. Leave the top open allowing chickens to get into it & scratch. After a couple of weeks, take bin apart & let chickens scratch it flat. You can either start a completely new one, or you can pitch the spread out contents, back in after they've scratched & manure it & add to it. At any point, you could add a handful of fish bait worms (red wrigglers). If your pile gets hot, they will move to outside areas. A smaller bin like this probably won't get hot enough to kill weed seeds, but it might... when you open the bin, birds will have some snacks. You bedding should be deep enough they can burrow. But happy chickens.

Gardening w/ chickens You Tube -

- Parkrose Permaculture - PNW - Small yard in neighborhood, small number of chickens & ducks

- Edible Acres - NY small yard & 6 acre nursery in different location. LOTS chicken vids w/ composting

- Geoff Lawton - permaculture in Australia - using chickens in small spaces to build tons of compost. Greening the desert - fascinating.

- Perma Pastures - here in NC. Details on small (er) compost ring & chickens.

- Gary & Robbie - CA. Gardening mostly In containers. Using kitchen scraps & garden debri to constantly make new soil . Source - lots of humming bird feeders, drinkers & lots of pretty varieties... Also fascinating!

*** if you aren't into Gardening, well, guess I jumped off deep end. But so many ways to keep the backyard from turning into a pitted, biological wasteland w/ your chickies.