[Kourtney]

I have just lost my young bantams to a fox attack. So considering if I should try again and use a brick built shed that forms part of  my courtyard and next to my house, rather than using the wooden chicken coup.  It has two doors and is large and airy.  It has a natural slope to one side, the floor is cobbled and concrete.  What should I put on the floor for the chicks? They will have access to an outdoor run, both grass and hard standing. Any advice gladly welcomed.

[New shoot]

Sorry to hear you lost your bantams Kourtney and welcome to the forum 

Is the shed big enough to get the coop inside?  Just thinking it would save you building nest boxes and roosting perches as the hens will need these.

As for floor covering, you could use dust extracted sawdust or if the shed is more open and needs a more robust floor covering, bark chips 

[compostqueen]

I had bark chips (big size) and Aubiose/Easi bed kind of stuff in the run. They had access to the lawn and soily patches.  Spoilt rotten in fact 

The Aubiose is like the Amtico of poultry floorings.  It smells fab, soaks up moisture and smells. Keeps the birds feet clean too so they're not carting muck to bed 

[Sassy]

Don't use sawdust. I'm sure dust extracted shavings are what is meant.

[helens-hens]

I have successfully uses Easibed for my covered run for the last couple of years. Easy to clean & poo pick!

[AlecF]

What did you use in the original coop? Changing from straw to baled wood shavings may mean that they peck a little of it up at first, in my experience, although they soon learn that's a waste of effort! I use the wood chips underneath a covering of straw, but just out of habit as it isn't really necessary.

[grinling]

how did the fox get in and how will you fox proof run area.
Standard is to L shape wire at least a spade depth outwards, some use weld mesh some chicken wire. You will also need to cover the outdoor roof area with same wire.

[Sassy]

Weld mesh preferable to chicken wire. Possible for fox to chew through chicken wire.

[kopperdrake]

I'd go with dust extracted wood chippings personally. Once they're soiled they make a great mulch for around the base of fruit trees