Build Your Own Chicken House – 4 Tips For a Great Run

So you know that any sort of chicken coop worth it’s salt needs a run right? I bet you also reckon that just any ancient thing will do, so long as it keeps the chickens in? Really, keeping your chickens in their run should be the last of your concerns when you build your own chicken house.

These are the four things that you should be thinking about when you build your own chicken house run.

Size

The run should allow for around 10-15 square feet per bird (Bantams will need less space, If you are in succession older ordinary size chickens then go for the 15). this way the girls all have their space, there will be less chance of squabbles and the run will really be simpler to clean.

Safeguard

More vital than keeping your chickens in, a run is your first line of defence when it comes to keeping predators out. Now I know, it’s a fence. But have you given any plotting to how high that fence will need to be?

How about how deep into the ground it needs to go? There are many predators – like the fox and raccoon, that will dig under your fence and grab your hens.

What about the type of netting that you will need to use? I know that you are probably high and mighty that when you build a chicken house that chicken wire will do the job. Truth be known it is really pretty flimsy stuff. No match for the teeth and claws of a hungry raccoon or dog.

What about some sort of ceiling over it to care for your chicken from climbing and flying predators?

The Floor

What you place on the floor of your run can mean the difference between a really enjoyable and simple care experience for you and your chickens and an experience that is really a massive chore.

When you build your own chicken house using organic equipment like straw, hay or wood chips is a fantastic thought and after you have cleaned the run out, you can place the dirty carpet on the garden as manure. But there is a major downside to using these organic equipment. you will need to clean the run out evenly, mainly once it gets wet. Organic material soaks up dampness and it does not take long for the decomposition process to start. If you are not vigilant and quick to clean the wet straw out in no time you will have a mucky, smelly run and really despondent chickens.

The best carpet for your chicken run is a mix of sand and crushed stones or stones. The sand is fantastic for keeping the ground clean and for drainage, the stones helps to keep the sand loose and ‘fluffy’ so that it doesn’t get hard and crushed.

The Roof

You may or may not want to place a roof on your run when you build your own chicken house, but if you have the energy and budget it is beyond doubt a excellent thought.

Not only will it stop climbing and flying predators from stealing your precious chickens, but when it is done properly it will also provide shelter from the elements for your chickens and your run.

Opportunely there are a fantastic selection of plans for when you want to build your own chicken house that control all the essentials and give you simple peasy step by step directions. This makes construction your own fantastic chicken house a breeze – In fact I bet it even makes your neighbors jealous and your eggs taste better! http://www.buildahenhouse.info

Author: Sandy Kane
Condition Source: EzineArticles.com
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