Run needs sprucing up- help

[Kate E]

I have run FOMO. We bought a new house back in April and I have been keeping chickens in the coop that was on the property since that time. The chickens in the photo attached are not mine, they were the previous owners and have since moved on- I have 5 new chickens, 3 hens, 2 pullets. Anyway, I'm new-ish to chicken keeping having just been through my first summer with my girls. I've done a lot of research about what to do and what not to do in the coop and run and not one article reads the same as the next. We live in south east Wisconsin where we have hot summers cool springs and falls and freezing winters. So, keeping all of that in mind and seeing the attached photo of my coop and run- how can I spruce this thing up for my girls? I commute to Chicago for work and I only let them free range when I am home because we have lots of hawks and coyotes around. I feel terrible that their run is just dirt and nothing else- they have to be bored in there all day. I can't move the coop, it is a permanent fixture and to be honest I feel like the dirt floor under it is in bad shape. It's hard, probably lacking any nutrition and I don't think the birds can even scratch around in there for bugs. I think I should probably start by tilling up the soil and incorporating some new dirt but other than that... any suggestions? I have added some outdoor roosts (not pictured) that they seem to enjoy but other than that this place is seriously lacking. Any tips would be appreciated. Also, winter is coming quickly so whatever I do I would like it to be suitable for the end of summer, fall and winter. Thanks!

 

[jennyf]

Definitely do some research on "deep litter"--there are many experts on here and lots of information, but in a nutshell, you start piling organic matter in the run, it mixes with the chicken manure, naturally starts breaking down into compost, and in the process gives your chooks something to do, scratching around in there and turning things over all day. You could get a good start with a bale of shavings, fall leaves grass clippings, bale of straw, etc. There's something instinctive about their scratching when you give them material to move around, esp if you throw some scratch in there periodically. Other ideas are perches made with branches and cinder blocks, a dust bath tire or box, swing (don't spend a lot of $, mine never did use it), areas to hide under, etc. You have a nice space for them, you can get creative!

 

[Kate E]

I'm worried about the DL method in the run as it does get quite a bit of moisture- as you can see it's totally exposed to the elements. If we get a bad rain or a good amount of snow I think it will just get too wet and the concept won't work well. Any thoughts on that? Love the idea of giving them somewhere to have a dust bath- I'm going to do that this weekend.

 

[paintedChix]

Once deep enough, the DLM should work fine even w/ the amounts of moisture you have. If you are really worried about it you can add either a temporary wall/roof to the run or permanent ones out of a variety of materials until you know what you like and how much you want to close your run in or cover it.

Materials to do solid walls - tarp, plastic (clear to allow sun thru), any kind of building siding. These could be installed in such a way as to be temporary, permanent or so that you can take them down during the times you want them off.

Really the same for roofing the run. You could just throw a tarp over it - but snow load may rip thru the tarp & wire I already see dipping down a bit. You could add cattle panel(s) under the wire I see - raising it in a round - and then tarping it. Could completely remove the wire on top and then roof the run w/ a type of hoop OR with an actual roof slanted for snow load slide/removal. If do a roof, you can use a variety of materials again - some will allow for sunlight to shine thru.

Sometimes just a log or an extra bale of straw left in for them to jump up on adds to the play. Then also putting some round type veggies on a "tether ball" rope, dangling in the pen can allow for hours of play/snacking - you can start it low enough that they learn what it is - then raise it so that they have to jump/fly up to peck at it.