[rosegarden]

Last week in preperation for the arrival of the girls in August we had concrete slabs laid down for the chicken house and run - the house and run is a total of 12ft long.  Today when my other half ordered the house and run the people we ordered it from said they would not recommend concrete slabs for chickens because their feet are very delicate and could get damaged due to the scratching about.  We were going to put a thick layer of easibed on top of the concrete.  We have still ordered the house and run but I am now in a panic over the slabs and am wondering whether we have done the right thing - any advice would be appreciated.

[snow white]

Mine are in a concrete run at the moment and have quite happily scratched in the woodchips for the last year.  Their feet are fine and I have put stalosen f down and there is no smell.  It is also roofed to keep it dry.  I have just put the hose in there to rince them off (the concrete tilts towards the drains.)  and  they are as good as new.  Keeping chickens in a fixed run on earth, if too small, will end up a smelly quagmire.  You have the right idea.

[joyfull]

you do have to be careful that they don't get bumblefoot, however if they have a good thick layer of shavings, easybed etc then you should be ok.

[ghost61]

Are you using the slabs because of possible fox attacks? If so, you could do what we have done and put them around the house/run area and sit the house and run on the top so that the hens have their earth and Mr Fox will struggle to tunnel in to get them. Also, this will help preserve the wood as it will not be in contact with the ground. For added safety we have hammered stakes inside the perimeter and screwed them to the house and run - just in case we have a super strong fox that could nudge the run off its mount!

[ehs284]

Not quite clear whether the whole run is slabbed and whether the work has already been done; but if it is/has, then you'll need to provide dustbathing (e.g. tyres and sand) and you can put rests such as an old pallet to alter the topography. Concrete itself isn't a problem and the birds need to wear down their toe nails. I'd suggest leaving fixed slabs around the coop so easy to clean and remove a few and fill with sand/gravel.
A lot depends on the intensity of use. How many birds are you getting? A 12' length for coop and run is quite small - how wide is it? Is a part covered and wind protected?

[cammi]

we use concrete or slabs with a thick (3inches) layer of hard wood chips.  Better for their feet and also they have something to scratch around in so they dont get bored

[JaK]

Our run also has a slabbed base, we cover it generously with miscanthus or wood chips when we can get them. We have kept our chicken like this for a couple of year with no problems at all. As already suggested, provide a dustbath for them, we used to use a tyre but it was a little awkward to clean at times so we now use one of these big shallow trug things. We fill it with a mix of stuff like sand, spent compost and DE. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faulks-Tubtrug-Flexible-Shallow-Yellow/dp/B002NKGQUI/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1372254267&sr=8-17&keywords=shallow+trug

[ANHBUC]

   That is a great idea JaK. 

[rosegarden]

Thanks for all the advice so far.  We have already got a dust bath and I should just point out that the house and run are for 3 chickens.  We have had the roof of the run covered with polycarbonate roofing which is uv stable. Is there anything else I need to worry about!!!!!

[ANHBUC]

Thanks for all the advice so far.  We have already got a dust bath and I should just point out that the house and run are for 3 chickens.  We have had the roof of the run covered with polycarbonate roofing which is uv stable. Is there anything else I need to worry about!!!!!

Yes, do you have room to extend when you get totally addicted and need to expand your flock!!   

[JaK]

  That is a great idea JaK.

After this pic, one more hen squished her way in. So, now we know that you can get 6 hens in a bargain bucket.



Rosegarden- I think you are doing everything you need to. Can't wait to see pics of the new girls.