Run ???

[Sonflowerjoela]

Hello, my run is a 10x12 dog pen given to me by a friend. It is not covered I have a tarp for it. That does not really keep out the rain. I’m wondering if I need to put anything on the floor of it? I’ve been reading articles on here about doing that. I’m just not sure if I should because it is not covered.
The top of it is closed in with chicken wire. I also used chicken wire to predator proof it around the base of pen and folded to lay on top of ground with concrete pavers on top of wire.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

You'll probably want to look into the deep litter method, using wood chips, mulch or other organic material on the floor of the run (but also try to add some area where the birds can stay dry when it rains). Just FYI: chicken wire isn't predator proof - You might think about adding 1/2" hardware cloth instead.

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

You'll probably want to look into the deep litter method, using wood chips, mulch or other organic material on the floor of the run (but also try to add some area where the birds can stay dry when it rains). Just FYI: chicken wire isn't predator proof - You might think about adding 1/2" hardware cloth instead.

I will Look that up. I put some pine shavings on the floor. I also lock them up in house at night. We also just built a new hen house. When it stops raining. We will move it to the outside of pen. I’m interested in any info you can offer on how to do this better. I’m attaching photos of new coop. If you are anyone else sees something that should be done a different way. Please let me know.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

I will Look that up. I put some pine shavings on the floor. I also lock them up in house at night. We also just built a new hen house. When it stops raining. We will move it to the outside of pen. I’m interested in any info you can offer on how to do this better. I’m attaching photos of new coop. If you are anyone else sees something that should be done a different way. Please let me know.

The new coop looks sturdy! The things I notice are:

- You'll want to put hardware cloth over the window(s) (and any other openings larger than 1/2") to keep predators out.

- Does that coop only have one window? Are there any other openings for ventilation? If the window is the only source of ventilation for the coop, you may want to consider adding more (as high up as possible).

- It looks like the roost is at the same height as the nesting boxes (I'm assuming that's what is on the right side) - typically you want the nests to be lower than the roost to avoid the birds sleeping (and therefore pooping) in the nests.

I'll take the coop/run peeps and hopefully they'll have better recommendations!

@DobieLover @rosemarythyme @3KillerBs @aart

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

The new coop looks sturdy! The things I notice are:

- You'll want to put hardware cloth over the window(s) (and any other openings larger than 1/2") to keep predators out.

- Does that coop only have one window? Are there any other openings for ventilation? If the window is the only source of ventilation for the coop, you may want to consider adding more (as high up as possible).

- It looks like the roost is at the same height as the nesting boxes (I'm assuming that's what is on the right side) - typically you want the nests to be lower than the roost to avoid the birds sleeping (and therefore pooping) in the nests.

I'll take the coop/run peeps and hopefully they'll have better recommendations!

@DobieLover @rosemarythyme @3KillerBs @aart

Yes the coop only has the one window for now. The roof has those humps in metal and we did not close or seal them up. Will that work? Or do I need more? I do plan to buy hardware cloth for windows and the run top.
We were not sure what height to put nesting boxes or roosts. I did see today on here we’re roost should be 12 inches higher than nest boxes. We are planning to move roost up 12 inches. Is there a specific height the nest boxes should be. We put these just high enough that the 5gallon feed buckets will go under them.
Thank you so much for your help!!!

 

[3KillerBs]

I will Look that up. I put some pine shavings on the floor. I also lock them up in house at night. We also just built a new hen house. When it stops raining. We will move it to the outside of pen. I’m interested in any info you can offer on how to do this better. I’m attaching photos of new coop. If you are anyone else sees something that should be done a different way. Please let me know.

The coop looks well-built, but it seems to be short on ventilation, especially for a metal building that could be prone to condensation when the warm, moist air rising off the chickens hits the cold metal roof.

Many people can solve condensation problems with increased ventilation. Here's my article. The cover image shows the airflow for a single-slope shed roof: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Do cover all openings with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep out predators.

The roof has those humps in metal and we did not close or seal them up. Will that work? Or do I need more?

Yes, you will need more than that. The usual guideline is to have 1 square foot of ventilation for each adult, standard-sized hen and that makes a good starting point. The goal is to have enough ventilation that the temperature and humidity inside the coop is the same as outside, but placed in such a way as to be draft-free.

Adding vents at the top and bottom of the slope is best. You could make awnings for them the way I did for my brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/

Is there a specific height the nest boxes should be.

No. Some people place them just above the level of the bedding. Some place them up higher for various reasons. Mine are at my elbow height because I need to accommodate my arthritis with minimal bending.

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

The coop looks well-built, but it seems to be short on ventilation, especially for a metal building that could be prone to condensation when the warm, moist air rising off the chickens hits the cold metal roof.

Many people can solve condensation problems with increased ventilation. Here's my article. The cover image shows the airflow for a single-slope shed roof: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Do cover all openings with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep out predators.



Yes, you will need more than that. The usual guideline is to have 1 square foot of ventilation for each adult, standard-sized hen and that makes a good starting point. The goal is to have enough ventilation that the temperature and humidity inside the coop is the same as outside, but placed in such a way as to be draft-free.

Adding vents at the top and bottom of the slope is best. You could make awnings for them the way I did for my brooder: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/



No. Some people place them just above the level of the bedding. Some place them up higher for various reasons. Mine are at my elbow height because I need to accommodate my arthritis with minimal bending.

Thank you so much! on my way to check out your links!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Run:

I also use deep litter, which depending on what you have in your area can be a very cheap (free) way to litter the run and also provide compost for gardening. I personally don't like shavings. I use a mix of chunky wood chips (free, they provide aeration and drainage), dried leaves and grass (free, can be saved up for use all year round), and misc. garden trimmings, weeds, etc.

Chicken wire is probably okay on top, if the idea is to exclude aerial predators. It will not keep anything else out. Hardware cloth or welded wire no wider than 1/2" is recommended for everything else short of large predators like bears.

I don't have a roofed run, rain isn't an issue as long as the chickens have some sort of shelter to use to get out of the elements. The fact that they're hiding under the nest boxes in that first photo tells me there's no other shelter, so that's something you might want to consider providing. You can see my shelters here, left and right:

Coop:

Yes you will want more ventilation. 3KillerBs has provided great info on that. The roost doesn't need to be significantly higher than nests, but they should be higher overall to encourage the chickens to use them.

The chickens may not like your nest boxes as they're so open. Some flocks aren't so picky, others are. If it becomes an issue, adding walls and/or a sloped top on the nest can help with that. Example:

 

[teach1rusl]

If you're meaning in the run itself (as opposed to the housing), then I LOVE limestone screenings. It's crushed limestone, about the size of old clay style kitty litter. It keeps the area from becoming a mud pit, which is even more important since the run isn't roofed. Plus it's easy to clean poop from with a shrub rake. I use in all of my runs and in my alpacas' dry lot paddock...love it.

 

[aart]

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.
- Large flake 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 9 years.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/