Run and coop finalization

[jrsully526]

So I have to build my run still and Am going to do a wood frame one with chicken wire. My question is do I really need hardware cloth around perimeter if they are going to be locked up at night???? My coop will have it around the base /windows.

Coop for bedding I've been leaning toward sand or is the shavings more suitable?? brand new to this and have 11 chicks

 

[DobieLover]

So I have to build my run still and Am going to do a wood frame one with chicken wire. My question is do I really need hardware cloth around perimeter if they are going to be locked up at night???? My coop will have it around the base /windows.

Coop for bedding I've been leaning toward sand or is the shavings more suitable?? brand new to this and have 11 chicks

Chicken wire won't keep anything out of the run except maybe a kitten. The first rogue dog or fox or coyote or... anything worth it's salt can tear into chicken wire in short order.
If you can't afford the 1/2" hardware cloth, at least reinforce it from larger predators with 2x4 wire fencing.

I'm not a fan of sand. It's dusty and stinks to high heaven when wet. I use hemp bedding and/or pine shavings in the coop and wood chips in the run.

 

[Mamatomany123]

You don't really need it if you're ok with losing your birds. Not all predators hunt at night. Depending on where you live you may have to worry about ground predators as well as air ones. Minks and rats can all fit through chicken wire. Raccoons scare chickens to run to the edge and then reach through and grab them.

And even without predators. With chicken wire you are going to be feeding the entire bird population as well as introducing diseases to your chickens. Those freaking sparrows are going to make you pull your hair out.

 

[jrsully526]

Chicken wire won't keep anything out of the run except maybe a kitten. The first rogue dog or fox or coyote or... anything worth it's salt can tear into chicken wire in short order.
If you can't afford the 1/2" hardware cloth, at least reinforce it from larger predators with 2x4 wire fencing.

I'm not a fan of sand. It's dusty and stinks to high heaven when wet. I use hemp bedding and/or pine shavings in the coop and wood chips in the run.

Im using the cloth around the coop of course... if anything got into the run it would be liker the other 3 sides of the coop... Dogs are not my worry i have bobcats, bears etc.. Where do you order your bedding from?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Im using the cloth around the coop of course... if anything got into the run it would be liker the other 3 sides of the coop... Dogs are not my worry i have bobcats, bears etc.. Where do you order your bedding from?

you're going to need more than chicken wire.

 

[jrsully526]

you're going to need more than chicken wire.

LOL if they can tear coop apart with cloth around perimeter/windows they can have...birds for most part will be free range except at night obviously...

 

[Mamatomany123]

LOL if they can tear coop apart with cloth around perimeter/windows they can have...birds for most part will be free range except at night obviously...

With the type of predators you have I would strongly consider hotwire.

 

[3KillerBs]

Dogs are not my worry i have bobcats, bears etc..

With the type of predators you have I would strongly consider hotwire.

Agreed. If you want to have any chickens left at all you'll need hot wires -- with a good, strong charger.

Bears can and will rip through coop siding to get to the chickens.

 

[aart]

So I have to build my run still and Am going to do a wood frame one with chicken wire. My question is do I really need hardware cloth around perimeter if they are going to be locked up at night???? My coop will have it around the base /windows.

Up to you the amount of risk you want to take.

Coop for bedding I've been leaning toward sand or is the shavings more suitable?? brand new to this and have 11 chicks

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).
There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.
That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 7 years.

Can also depend on your climate.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[jrsully526]

Up to you the amount of risk you want to take.



What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).
There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.
That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 7 years.

Can also depend on your climate.
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2569088

Thanks for tip I grew up in SE Michigan ! .... I want to do the poop board and shavings I think do you just sift the shavings to clean weekly? And what type of sand do you use ???.. thanks