The day has come.....

ness · « **on:** September 11, 2007, 20:47 »

......well nearly. I collect my chooks tomorrow. I was going for 2 but by some quirk of fate I have ended up with a hen and 3 chicks plus 1 older chick (a girly

). A total of 5 light sussex bantams. :shock:
I have finished converting henhouse and this is within a run. My question is whats the best thing to use for the covered area of the run? At the moment I have used 2 old doors to provide the shelter but my oh thinks it looks a bit messy! Could I use external plywood? Or is there some other material I don't know about?
Oooh just thought of another question, I am thinking of using bark chippings on the floor of the run, there are some I can use from the front garden. Is it ok to use pre-used bark chippings?
Any help gratefully received.
Ness x

muntjac · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2007, 20:50 »

why covered run ? wire it off yes you can use normal untreated bark chippings .,not the coloured ones if no oil or anything else like cemnet dust etc has got on the bark chipings ,this includes weedkilers ort slug pellets .you can reuse it

ness · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2007, 20:58 »

Thought I'd cover a bit so they could keep dry on wet days, or cooler in the heat (?) - am I being too mumsy! They have an area under their house they can shelter if needs be so maybe its not needed. They will be free range when I'm about.
Thanks for very prompt reply!

richyrich7 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2007, 21:06 »

Must admit I keep mine covered but like you only have ( well will have) a few. They just look happier in the dry.

You could use stirling board/OSB bit cheaper than ply or how about corrugated sheeting.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2007, 21:07 »

I've used corrugated plastic, but my run is only 6x3 ft

ness · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2007, 21:35 »

Thanks again for replies, been googling corrugated plastic but for the time being I think they may have to put up with the old doors!

richyrich7 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2007, 21:49 »

Quote from: "ness"

I think they may have to put up with the old doors!

Better than a bit of old tarpaulin and clear plastic bag :oops: which I have been told to get rid of before the new arrivals

whistler · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2007, 21:26 »

Hi Ness,
I'm not sure where you are in Sunny Devon, but try Trago Mills at Newton Abbot, they have the plastic corrugated sheets, really good value.

jammy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2007, 22:54 »

Im also in Sunny Devon, not far from Whistler in fact, and i have my run covered in mini pvc corrugated sheeting from the Wickes store at Marsh Mills, Plymouth. It was £5.79 a sheet
PVC Sheeting

KJ

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:54 »

That's exactly what I've used Jammy

If you are covering your chooks run it is importaint not to cut out too much light as this nwill reduce egg laying, especially in the darker months :!:

agapanthus · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2007, 15:10 »

I covered my run last year with corrugated plastic and have to agree with richy....they do seem a lot happier in the dry

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2007, 15:24 »

Quote from: "agapanthus"

I covered my run last year with corrugated plastic and have to agree with richy....they do seem a lot happier in the dry

They smell better too :roll:

Wet runs pong :shock:

richyrich7 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2007, 16:49 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

Wet runs pong :shock:

Don't they just

ness · « **Reply #13 on:** September 13, 2007, 20:06 »

Thanks for all the replies. Trago Mills isn't too far may have a look down there. Corrugated plastic seems to be a good cheap cover and looks a tad more classy than the old doors.

Although I'm only going to cover half so may choose the not see through stuff.
Chooks hav arrived

, Im one happy chook mummy although the cat, dog and rabbits (and oh!) seem a little peed off at the attention the newcomers are attracting!
I had no idea how friendly chooks could be. My friend (and her broody)raised the single chick for me, Upsey Daisy is more like a dog than a chook. Got a bit of work to do with the mum and 3 chicks.
What fab time wasters!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #14 on:** September 13, 2007, 22:17 »

Remember ness. Even though you are in sunny Devon you will want maximum light in the winter months to keep them laying.