- May 2, 2012
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I'm in the process of building a raised coop 4'x8' with run space underneath and an additional 8'x16' of run extending out from the coop. The run will have panels for the top. The run will be predator proof and the coop will not be closed most nights. The run walls will have PT lumber at the base with HW cloth up from there with a buried fence apron all around.
I plan on adding several "sandbox" type structures to the floor of the run.
One will be for compostable materials, ie leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc etc. Items will be added to the Pile over the course of several months then once or twice a year after it has all been broken down it will all be cleaned out to start again.
One will be a 2x4 frame covered with hardware cloth so the grass can grow up through but they can't get at the roots to kill it.
One will be for a dustbath, filled with ashes, fine sand and DE.
Now to the question: should these boxes be scattered around the outside walls of the run so there is a large "dance floor" area or should the be spaced out from the run walls so there are bare sections all around them. For instance if the compost box is 4'x4' should it have 2' of clear run all the way around it or butt it up into a corner? I guess what i"m really asking is if the girls would be happier with one large clear space or several smaller clear areas with connecting hallways?
thanks
I plan on adding several "sandbox" type structures to the floor of the run.
One will be for compostable materials, ie leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps, etc etc. Items will be added to the Pile over the course of several months then once or twice a year after it has all been broken down it will all be cleaned out to start again.
One will be a 2x4 frame covered with hardware cloth so the grass can grow up through but they can't get at the roots to kill it.
One will be for a dustbath, filled with ashes, fine sand and DE.
Now to the question: should these boxes be scattered around the outside walls of the run so there is a large "dance floor" area or should the be spaced out from the run walls so there are bare sections all around them. For instance if the compost box is 4'x4' should it have 2' of clear run all the way around it or butt it up into a corner? I guess what i"m really asking is if the girls would be happier with one large clear space or several smaller clear areas with connecting hallways?
thanks
