Marty1121
Hatching
- Apr 5, 2016
- 1
- 0
- 7
Hi all-
I've been lurking and reading for months, but we're in the end stages of finishing our setup and I have a question about managing my run.
Our coop is almost done (8x12) and we're planning on a large run-- at least 80x16, possibly 80x32.
The "plan" is for 12 dual purpose birds (though from all the posts I've read it's very likely I'll accumulate more!)
I know the size of the run will be more than sufficient, (we're going for a "controlled free-range" setup) but I'm wondering if I should section some of it off-- like a modified paddock system, or if thats even necessary considering the hen:sq ft ratio we're going to have?
If I don't cordon some it off will they have it all scratched up and bare in a matter of months?
Can that be mitigated somewhat by supplementing a little more with commercial feed?
We live on a farm in northern Ohio, so space isn't an issue-- it's our dog with a high prey drive that necessitates the run. Well, that and my vegetable garden, flower beds, grapes and melon patch. ;-)
Thoughts?
TIA.
Marty
I've been lurking and reading for months, but we're in the end stages of finishing our setup and I have a question about managing my run.
Our coop is almost done (8x12) and we're planning on a large run-- at least 80x16, possibly 80x32.
The "plan" is for 12 dual purpose birds (though from all the posts I've read it's very likely I'll accumulate more!)
I know the size of the run will be more than sufficient, (we're going for a "controlled free-range" setup) but I'm wondering if I should section some of it off-- like a modified paddock system, or if thats even necessary considering the hen:sq ft ratio we're going to have?
If I don't cordon some it off will they have it all scratched up and bare in a matter of months?
Can that be mitigated somewhat by supplementing a little more with commercial feed?
We live on a farm in northern Ohio, so space isn't an issue-- it's our dog with a high prey drive that necessitates the run. Well, that and my vegetable garden, flower beds, grapes and melon patch. ;-)
Thoughts?
TIA.
Marty