[Bee]

Or...you could start a deep litter system in the run that will promote bug and worm life in the soils underneath and will turn hard packed soils into spongy and healthy soils that absorb the water so that it no longer stands in a puddle, and cleanses the soil as it is absorbed.

Deep litter= no mud, healthier bacterial life in the run, nitrogenous droppings are composted instead of building up in the soils and birds have a more natural habitat that resembles the forest floor in their run. This also provides them with activity and extra proteins from the bug life that will live there, as well as provide a place for the growth of beneficial cultures that will inhibit the overgrowth of more harmful pathogens as long as you promote that healthy environment.

 

[TheLazyL]

July 4, 2013

I did a flip flop in my thinking and went with the fiberglass panels. Most of the negative reviews I read about fiberglass panels stated didn't last long in the sun. The panels I bought have a 15 year warranty IF you put the marked side towards the weather.

The first panel I cut 1 1/2" off. I wanted the corrugated to go up to help prevent funneling water into the run.

Chickens went nuts when I tried to get the debris off the run. They DO NOT LIKE shadows above them. One hen tried to turn herself into spaghetti by running into the 1/2" hardware cloth. So I let them out to free range while I got the sticks and hickory nuts off, that will have to do.

All done. Panels were 8' in length which left a 7" overhang front and back. Wind should blow thru and not up on the overhang...time will tell.

Lucky the Rooster with part of his harem inspecting their new drier digs.

 

[ReTIRED]

You might want to consider Raising one side of that corrugated roofing ....to provide for water-flow of rain-water and/or snow.
( Just leave the hardware cloth as it is and build a wooden support ....say 12 inches on one side and 6 inches in the center....it's
NOT much of a PITCH ....but probably more than sufficient. )

ALSO....There are some liquids available that you can SPRAY on materials such as your corrugated panels and/or clear plastic -- which shield these things from UV radiation from the Sun (which is what causes the deterioration). I used some on the cheap plastic covering on my Garden (hoophouse) Greenhouse. It works good for a while....then redo it about every 30-60 days. It really works.
I don't presently recall the NAME of that product....but a Google Search for "UV protection Spray" should find it for you.

ReTIRED-

 

[teachfit]

Thank you for this post!!! It has given us so many ideas as we build our coop and run. We too have a camera system (got it for the goats initially) and I love being able to keep an eye on my ladies during the day.

Waiting with baited breathe for the **** surprise!

 

[TheLazyL]

You might want to consider Raising one side of that corrugated roofing ....to provide for water-flow of rain-water and/or snow.
( Just leave the hardware cloth as it is and build a wooden support ....say 12 inches on one side and 6 inches in the center....it's
NOT much of a PITCH ....but probably more than sufficient. )...
ReTIRED-

I had thought about a slope. We can have heavy snows so I wondered with a unsupported 7' span how long the fiberglass would last. Also with the panels only fasten to the run at the ends how long before the wind would take them off? No slope solved both of these problems.

The "hill" of the corrugated is an 1" tall. I'm figuring the rain will "fall" of the edges before building up to an 1" and into the panel seams.

 

[mselainey]

As I prep for my coop and girls, I have enjoyed your posts tremendously. Lots of things to remember from your work. Cage clips, electrical, ... how you put it together. What fun.. (yeah I know it's a lot of work but betcha there have been loads of grins.) Thanks for the smiles, the info and the inspiration. Your hotel and spa for your flock are impressive.

Also, waiting for the **** surprise!

 

[cga]

Thank You for the great tutorial and pictures.

Excellent information for those of us, just starting out.

Cliff.

 

[TheLazyL]

November 11, 2013

General updates.

The automatic chicken door I didn't need. Since the run is secured, I just leave the door open. Chickens can come and go as they please.

Lucky was tearing off the back feathers from his favorites. His life expectancy was put on the short list.

2 months ago they went thru their molting. Egg production dropped to none or a egg a day. Only one has some missing back feathers so Lucky received a reprieve till Spring.

Last night we had our first snow. Daylight hours are short and I don't provide any extra lighting in the coop (I'm cheap). 1 or 2 eggs a day tops. I'll have to do some reading to see if egg production is down because of the shorten days or because they have passed their peak egg laying.

After last winter Lucky has some frostbite damage on his comb. So this winter I'm leaving the poop cover on the floor off.

Right now I'm figuring early next spring all 9 BO's will be joining the noddles for supper (they will be almost 2 years old). Replaced with a dozen RIR or Barred. Might try hatching the replacements...

 

[kessy09]

If you'd like, you can try to keep a rotating flock of young ones to keep egg production going while the older ones take their break. It's the way my grandparents did it and I've heard multiple people on here do it as well. Chickens at point of lay in the fall or early winter don't take a break and they don't molt the first year-regardless of extra light or not.

 

[nj2wv]

I am starting a rotating flock and so far so good.

 

[TheLazyL]

Rotating flock.....hmmmmm....I don't have a way to separate them nor the inclination....OK to let a Broody raise the next generation without the older generation killing them off?

 

[kessy09]

Rotating flock.....hmmmmm....I don't have a way to separate them nor the inclination....OK to let a Broody raise the next generation without the older generation killing them off?

You betcha. That's the best way! Cheap (as in free) and easy (as in no work for you). The broody will protect her babies.