New to backyard chickens! I need help!

[rosemarythyme]

Oh wow ok very interesting. How do you know when it's time to clean the run instead of adding more material?

Smell, mostly. Also muddiness of it, if you're using deep litter for example, and it starts getting muddy/mushy, then you need to add more material or replace what's there if more cannot be added without removing some first.

For the wire mesh in the run: we installed it to protect from predators BUT we're just realizing now that the chickens will get their nails caught and so we're going to course correct and do as you suggested.

I know it's not fun to undo it but at least the material can still be used in your build.

We didn't remove the gravel because the previous owners of the house had this whole big patch of the yard FILLED with gravel. There's like a foot deep of gravel, maybe even more. I have nowhere to put this and it's just too labour intensive. I'm going to add lots of material on top and hope for the best should i add both dirt and wood chips, or just tons of wood chips? thank you for all of your advice!

That's a lot of gravel! I can see why it'd be problematic to remove it.

I do wood chip based deep litter. If you have space to store a pile of chips that's a very efficient material to use. If possible, could you build up the base of the run taller (i.e. add another row of boards under the current bottom of the frame), to allow for more volume of litter? That would help with "holding" more poop as well as give the chickens more layers to dig at. Not sure what the clearance is under the coop right now, but deep litter can build up pretty easily, like a good 6-8". So if the clearance is 12" you're looking at a space under the coop of only 4-6" once the litter is in.

 

[Jesse Lee Turner]

Wow amazing! This is so helpful. I have a question about the perch, maybe you'd be able to answer. As my coop is relatively small, i'm not sure how to build this? how many "levels" do they need? how much space in between the levels? does it need to go all the way to the floor of the coop? is it like a ladder, do they fly there or need to climb? sorry this is maybe obvious but i know nothing thank you again!

Hey! Great you found this helpful! Well, at some point friend, we must each admit that we need a little help, and there's no shame in that, just an opportunity to get some new skill or some new knowledge. I will be back to give some advice to you, need to take care of a few things. But I won't forget. I will copy this link to this page and be sure to get back with you in a few!

 

[Jesse Lee Turner]

Wow amazing! This is so helpful. I have a question about the perch, maybe you'd be able to answer. As my coop is relatively small, i'm not sure how to build this? how many "levels" do they need? how much space in between the levels? does it need to go all the way to the floor of the coop? is it like a ladder, do they fly there or need to climb? sorry this is maybe obvious but i know nothing thank you again!

you know, I said to myself, why wait? Rharrison needs some advice, and that other stuff can go jump for a minute and when it get's there, it can jump again haha

You're asking exactly the right questions, and there's nothing obvious about it, btw, coop design can make or break a flock.

So we're just about ready to build the gals a proper roosting spot. Let’s walk it, step by step and gentle-like:

The Million Dollar Question: What is a Perch?

It’s their bed, plain and simple. Some chickens take to straw and ground fine, but it seems more Chickens don’t like sleeping on the ground, they feel more vunerable (it's information written into their genes - eat what I need, drink, be safe, and love humans), so they need a raised perch to feel safe, also cool, and off the dirt.

How High Should It Be?

*One level is often enough in small coops. You can get fancy and kep adding layers to it such as my Aunt and the clan on that side of the family. But they are eccentric. You can be too if you want, but usually one level will do:

1. Make it about 12 to 18 inches off the ground - they’ll fly-hop up there just fine.

2. If you go for a second level, make sure it’s at least it's that height up again, so 12 to 15 inches higher than the first, and not directly over the one below (so droppings don’t rain down on the crew living on the first floor).

Ladder Style or Flat Bar?​

You can do a ladder-style roost, but space the “rungs” at least 12 inches apart vertically.

If it’s a single level, a straight bar across the coop works beautifully.

How Much Space Per Bird?​

**Give at least 10–12 inches of perch length per hen.
**For 5 hens, a 4 to 5 foot long perch is **golden**.

What Should the Perch Be Made Of?​

1. Use a 2x4 laid flat (wide side up). That way their feet stay warm and flat at night, not curled like on a round broomstick. Some chickens prefer to grip around on a bar, (we call that quality passerine) but it's few in my experience. But never hurts to have a grippy bar for the quirk chickens who like it.

2. Sand or round edges just a bit, but no need to make it circular.

Does It Need to Go to the Floor?​

No, it does not, just keep it higher than the nest boxes, or else they’ll sleep in the nest (and then poop in 'em too). And no need to go too high - 18–24 inches off the coop floor is perfect unless you're building up multiple levels.

TIPS:

***No perches over food, water, or nests.
** No sharp corners or skinny wire.
* Make it easy to clean, because chicken butts don’t lie!

END OF STORY:

If the chickens seem all content, well done! If they side-eye you, some adjustments may be necessary!

 

[Rharrison7]

I'm also a newbie - about 10 months of chicken tending. I strongly recommend covering the run because of mud. Home Depot and Lowes here in the US sell plastic corrugated panels you can use to cover the run with. I even zip tied one to the side of the run for the winter when we had nasty weather and snow. They come in clear and smoked gray, which gives more sun protection in our very hot summers here.
If you do get some mud you can dump a bag of horse pellets to soak it up. They're cheap at Tractor Supply. You can also dump some mulch in there for them to scratch through.
Inside the coop I haven't used deep litter. I have a poop shelf I covered in hemp for the winter. It is incredibly nice to work with but expensive. I scoop out the poop daily but you probably don't need to.
Now, in hot weather I'm experimenting with a thin layer of sand and some zeolite. It's also pretty easy to keep clean (I still scoop daily) and much much cheaper.
Can send pictures if you want, when I get home.

Yes, please! I'd love to see what that looks like