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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken Runs  |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 04:57:32 AM
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We're working on a coop for the late April arrival of day-olds. DH questions whether the chickens will strip any runs (a chicken moat in particular) of all growth. If that is inevitable, he'd rather use electronet and keep the areas moving so they always have greens to eat. Any advise? Oh, the chicken moat would be about 300 feet long, all in all. And there will be 26 chicks if all live.
Thanks!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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simpler1773
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Ricki
Ashland
Wisconsin
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 05:50:08 AM
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Yes, in my experience they will. It's much better to rotate areas :)
~Ricki~
You can't pour anything out of an empty vessel, take care of yourself! |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 07:06:36 AM
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Thanks, Ricki. I appreciate the fast response!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 08:47:21 AM
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DH was raised on a farm where they let the chickens out loose all day. We're not going to do that, though, for various reasons. After doing lots & lots of research, we decided not to do moveable pens because of the weight of the pens, etc. So here's another option that we read alot about and are going to use.
We're putting the chicken house in the middle of a large area. THere will be 4 chicken doors with a ramp for each. The large fenced area around the house will be divided into four sections (imagine a picture frame but the frame is the big part and the picture is smaller, and each of the four parts of the frame are different pens). We'll alternate which section we open the chickens into. In whichever area we used last, we plan to sow some seeds of plants that are healthy for chickens to eat so that by the time the chickens have moved through the other 3 areas and are back in there, they'll have some really good stuff to eat.
hth
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 2:40:13 PM
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Patti, thanks! That's interesting. Our coop is right near the garden.... although the chickens would be welcome there when it isn't in production. I'll tell Phil about this. Actually, the "moat" could be sectioned off for new plantings. I hate to give up the moat idea! It's narrow enough to lay netting over to keep out the hawks, with electric wire along the top and bottom. The girls would't need to be babysat during the day while they're out. 
There is a Redeemer. |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 08 2007 : 2:49:05 PM
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Hi, Ann! I'm planning to section off my "moat" here into four sections, with, perhaps, a roost or two (not roostER!) in each section - that way I can move them along every few days, or move them back through the "moat" into their house, if needs be. The weather in summer is so warm here, and if the moat is entirely enclosed, the predator issue shouldn't be a problem (I'll have to make sure of that one!), ...I agree that they need to be moved around a bit if you don't want them digging up things here and there - especially in springtime - they find the first greenery around and just go to town on it!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Mar 09 2007 : 08:25:39 AM
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Thanks Libbie and Erin. Libbie, I think your plan is about what I suggested to Phil this morning! Like, Erin, we do have grasshoppers! I saw them near the garden in January, when it was still warmer than usual. Ours seem to have decided this is "home". Thanks so much... You gals with experience have been so very helpful. Pattie's husband's comment about the heaviness of the portable (electronet, I assume) pens is also of great interest. Phil does a lot of planning, then likes to "do it for life", whatever he builds-- therefore, saying we'll just make changes later isn't really an option. Got to try hard to get it right. Also, GOT to go ahead and make that decision or I'll be going NUTS! 
There is a Redeemer. |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2007 : 09:20:20 AM
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That's very clever, Babs! Are you considering doing this wagon wheel? Thanks for the website!
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2007 : 11:06:48 AM
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If I had the money to reorganize my barns/pens, yes this is exactly what I would do. You could add the other half and line up the flat sides... just think how much room and time that would save to have all your pens and feeding areas localized!!
Hatching Eggs: www.countryegg.com
My Etsy Store: www.mugwortmaggies.com
Junque Trader: http://myjunqueyourjunque.blogspot.com/
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken Runs |
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Chicken Runs
