Outdoor Pen/Run Floor ideas needed

[Rick&Chris]

Should be fine...if spread out, rather than piled up, mold bloom shouldn't be an issue this time of year...and I don't think arborvitaes are too sappy.

Thanks! Didn’t see this reply before I posted my other questions.

 

[Rick&Chris]

Like I said....


If you have a place on your land to store a pile of chippings, that would be a good thing to do...let them age and you'll always have some available to add a bit a time to the run as needed.



IIRC we went over all that on another thread?
Ah, Yes.....https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilation-in-winter.1280282/

Thank you, again! My peak vents are bigger in this coop. Was hoping it would be sufficient ventilation this time. Will get my husband out there to poke more holes!!

 

[GrannyHeeney]

View attachment 1632777 View attachment 1632778 Good morning BYC!!!

We received our new (bigger) coop a couple of weeks ago. I have an area under the inside roosts that is sand and PDZ, not quite 4:1 - I’ll need to mix in more PDZ. I have been sifting it every day - works well! The other area of the coop is pine shavings that I try to sift thru and will replace every 2 weeks or so. We will be adding more ventilation up top now that we have our final setup. We do have the gable end vents at the peak on both ends of the enclosed area. They are approx 15”x6” each

My question is regarding the run area which is 7’x18’ - and mostly covered (see pic) - the grass is pretty much gone now. Any recommendations on what to put in the run area to keep the poop under control? Raking it is barely working! Starting to stink in there! And they have poop on their feet (that freaks me out!).

Working on more roosts in the pen (have a swing that is not in this photo) - they aren’t too keen on it because it moves. Eventually we’ll have an outside fenced in area around this coop for them to get out - but that will probably be a spring project unless we get some decent (rain free) weather here in S.E. PA.

Would love to see photos of your runs, outdoor roosts, etc!

I'm no help LOL Just wanted to say that it's BEAUTIFUL!!

 

[bajabirdbrain]

Rick & Chris says "Looks great and I'm sure your flock has lots of fun!!! I would love to do sand, but I think with all the rain we get it would just be a mess."
We live just north of Seattle and we get LOTS of rain!!! With the plastic curtains on the windward side of the run the floor stays dry, period.

One other question I have is the picture of your roosts with the narrow but wide window over the roosts, can that be closed? If not, I would be concerned about a cold draft on the chickens during the winter.

One additional comment is that we have added a couple of security cameras in the coop so we can check that everybody is inside at night AND to see who lays what in the nest boxes. We also have a battery powered automatic door opener/closer which works great and allows BB not to rush out early in the am to let them out of the coop!

The journey continues! Mandatory poop boards!

 

[paneubert]

View attachment 1634673 View attachment 1634674 View attachment 1634675 View attachment 1634676 Thank you everybody for your advice! Appreciate all of your expertise and knowledge.

How do you like that tube style feeder? I was entertaining the idea of getting that one with the rain shield and having it in my run. Any issues with them scooping it out onto the ground?

 

[Rick&Chris]

I'm no help LOL Just wanted to say that it's BEAUTIFUL!!

Thank you!!!

 

[Rick&Chris]

How do you like that tube style feeder? I was entertaining the idea of getting that one with the rain shield and having it in my run. Any issues with them scooping it out onto the ground?

I actually like it alot! Probably could have made one cheaper - looks pretty simple (except the rain guard part). I keep my food inside the coop - might move it outside at some point. I think we are going to make both the waterer and the feeder taller to hold more food/water. I refill the food every 2 days and the water every day.

There is little to no waste with the food!

 

[Rick&Chris]

Rick & Chris says "Looks great and I'm sure your flock has lots of fun!!! I would love to do sand, but I think with all the rain we get it would just be a mess."
We live just north of Seattle and we get LOTS of rain!!! With the plastic curtains on the windward side of the run the floor stays dry, period.

One other question I have is the picture of your roosts with the narrow but wide window over the roosts, can that be closed? If not, I would be concerned about a cold draft on the chickens during the winter.

One additional comment is that we have added a couple of security cameras in the coop so we can check that everybody is inside at night AND to see who lays what in the nest boxes. We also have a battery powered automatic door opener/closer which works great and allows BB not to rush out early in the am to let them out of the coop!

The journey continues! Mandatory poop boards!View attachment 1635611

The long/skinny window does close from the outside - so winter/cold drafts are not an issue. Should work out well in the summer when it's hot. I might lower (or raise) the roosts so that they aren't in direct line with the window, too.

I purchased a camera over Black Friday, just haven't installed it yet - I need to get electric out there (underground to the coop) before I set it up - otherwise I'll have an extension cord over the yard until then! I like the idea of the automatic door, too! My girls get mad when I make them wait!!!