New coop - (and chicken wrangler) - what to put on the run floor.

[taxus812]

Hi folks,
Wow

I wished I had found this forum before I started great info!

Well I was encouraged by family to act on a long term desire and get some chickens (I had a hand full of chicks handed to me at the local tractor supply and I could not say no to a 5 and 6 year old.) I rushed to build a coop (wow how amazingly fast they grow). I built it 12' x 5 ' for 6 chickens.

My question is what to cover the run floor with (can't use concrete). do I just leave it dirt or stone or savings. Not sure what.

Im also Very happy to share some pics

(I did insulate it with 3/4" foam insulation then lined it).

(the window opens and a screen can be put in)

(removable pearches)

(future hopes for yummy eggs)


thanks

 

[patandchickens]

Copied from a reply I just wrote on anotehr thread, sorry to be so lazy

...

If you want great compost, put hay (if you're not concerned about the impacted crop possibility) and nontoxic garden weedings and any sort of stuff like that in there, let them pick around and snack and scratch and eat bugs and POO on it... and then once it is pretty well 'used up' from a chicken entertainment point of view, or is starting to really break down and cause stink/flies/mud, rake it out, compost it a while longer, and it will be GREAT for your garden and soil smile (This is what I do).

If you just want to cover the ground so it isn't bare earth/mud, see the link for 'fixing muddy runs' in my .sig below for a discussion of the pros and ocns of different options.

If it stays dry, though, rather than turning into a mudpit, there is really nothing *wrong* with plain dirt.

Good luck, have fun,

 

[NancyP]

wow that is very nice. I would just leave the floor dirt so they can enjoy scratching. If it becomes messy you could always add shavings later.

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

Nice coop and run.

 

[taxus812]

Thanks patandchickens !

I found those links helpful.in particular,the topic of ventalation was very helpfull.

I figured the Ridge and sofit vents with the window would have been good. I see, I will be adding those extra vents I was thinking about to

.

 

[trilyn]

from NY! Great job on the coop/run!

 

[chickens3]

Welcome and good job on your run and the coop it all looks good.

 

[CityChook]

from MN!

I heart sand in the run. 3-4 inches. Poo just seems to disappear.

Love your coop and your little helper. I really wanted to build a playhouse style, just like yours, but it gets too cold here in MN. I needed something that sat on the ground for the insulating factors. You did a nice job!

 

[mrsgibber]

Hi Terry -

My husband Jeff G. is sitting here with me. He told me you just started out with chickens. This site is the best. I spent nine months on it before getting my chickens just trying to learn everything I could. Everyone here is super friendly and helpful. Your coop and run look great!!

We also have two Red Sexlinks a.k.a. Golden Comets a.k.a. Red Stars.

We also have a Black sexlink, an Easter Egger and two bantams (a white silkie roo & antwerp quail). We can't wait for the eggs. Shouldn't be much longer for the RSL's & BSL since they mature faster so Jeff will have to let you know how they do.

You can visit our BYC page (under my avatar) and see all the hard work Jeff put in to getting my coop and run ready for me this winter.

Enjoy!! I'm sure you've already realized how much fun and entertaining they are.

-Crissy G

 

[taxus812]

Hi !!!!!!

I loved your coop. Jeff showed me pics ! I almost wished I bought mine for a few buck more I could have gotten out of all the work (atuly I did like the experiance but I had to rush because the birds featherd out soooooo fast).

I put together my page and added an inroduction in the newbies section.

We have to put togher a club at work

.

Eventualy we want silkies and I want a polish. I have time to learn more.