Please help! Im NOT likeing this set up. ALL suggestion welcome

[ChelseysChicken]

Please,help me make this better...OH! and the run is covered now with 1/2 '' hardware cloth

 

[jorey]

If it were mine I would put a couple of windows in the front of coop. You can get pretty cheap at resale shops like salvation army. The run looks like it has plenty of shade from the trees. Maybe put a roost in it or more stumps. I like the flower bed in front. Those are the only things I would do. Looks good. I see ventilation on the top. Windows will give more as well as sunlight to the chickens.

 

[ChelseysChicken]

Thanks so much! I will be doing all of those things! Awesome! Thanks again!

 

[jorey]

welcome to byc also. This is a wonderful site and everyone is so helpfull with anything you could think of. Enjoy.

 

[Havenhill Farn]

I agree with Jorey windows would be a great addition. Do you have a way into the run area, I didn't see one. If not I would figure away to get into the run. I enjoy being out and about with my chickies. And welcome to BYC, I love these people

 

[ChelseysChicken]

LOL! Thanks,I'm already glad I joined! Yes the Chicken door you see opens Bigger well big enough for me to enter the run. I also love getting in there and mingling in their territory!

 

[Life is Good!]

I found a 'discarded but useable' chair from a neighbor - one of those plastic things that folds up (an arm was mangled). A hacksaw to the arm to clean up the rough spots and 5min of my time means I have a very nice chair to sit in with my peeps. And I often find them perching on the back edge watching out at a different vantage point.

How many grown Java chickens can fit on the back edge of a chair? 2 hens and 1 rooster in the middle! Although, not comfortably!

I also found a plastic table and added that to the run also - in the center of the run, so no one can use it as a 'ladder' to get out. But if it's raining, I like to give treats underneath it, so they stay dry-ish. And the table is good if I need to inspect the hens for any physical issues - gets them up into my viewing area better.

Another thing we've done is add a very large branch as a perching play-place. One day I came out and found the entire flock of 10 on the branch! I wish I had had a camera.....funny stuff!

 

[ChelseysChicken]

I added windows! next,il be extending the run and laying some sod in it then adding roosts!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I added windows! next,il be extending the run and laying some sod in it then adding roosts!

Love your window and I'm sure your girls enjoy the extra light in the coop. However, I'd rethink the putting sod in the run. Your chicks will destroy any sod in the run probably in a matter of hours. They'll enjoy the roosts but they'll destroy the sod. If you don't want dirt in your run, you might want to consider using sand.

 

[ChelseysChicken]

Love your window and I'm sure your girls enjoy the extra light in the coop. However, I'd rethink the putting sod in the run. Your chicks will destroy any sod in the run probably in a matter of hours. They'll enjoy the roosts but they'll destroy the sod. If you don't want dirt in your run, you might want to consider using sand.

Oh,Good to know about the sod! although,I should've known that! I used to have a nice flowerbed along their run until I let them out to free range for the first time. yea, its been history every since! I'm going to look into getting sad. Since their area is SO shaded, it takes the ground forever to dry out after a good rain. I just worry that the sand would wash away rather quickly with the amounts of rain we've been getting here! Thanks for the info!