The Poultry Keeper

dani · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Surrey

Hello all

I was sitting in my front room last night when it started to poor with rain so i rushed out to cover my cooks run with plastic sheeting , however i noticed that as the top of my run is flat the rain water started to pool weighing down the top quite alot and also the rain getting in the sides was soaking the wood shaving and straw that i use to cover the run floor (the run is on my patio so on concerete as we have a very small garden i cant move it around the lawn but do let them out for a couple of hours a day .

So im thinking about putting gravel ontop of the patio where there run is ,so it dosnt matter about it getting wet and i can wash it down with detol or something everyfew days .

The patio there on sloaps a bit and the drain is at the end of there run so i can wash it down well .

Do i need to wait for the detol wash to dry before i let chooks out ?

Does the gravel hurt there feet ?

Does it smell as i usually change there straw ect everyother day ?

What size would i need to get and how thickly would it be spread ?

Would i be able to leave there run uncoverd at all times if i used the gravel as im sure they will go into there house should it rain ?

Do i need to jet wash it or just use a bucket ?

Sorry for the silly questions guys but we have only had them just over a week and this is the first time it has really really rained ! Embarassed

Oh forgot to add that as my run is only about two ft hight with mesh sides i wont be able to put it really deep so will about 2inch be ok as its on concerete ?

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 6:15 pm Post subject:

I have pea gravel in my winter duckpens which I wash down with a hose pipe regularly. Although needs replacing every couple years as eventually gets washed away.

Had you thought of putting a wooden roof to your run. you could even put in a wooden floor, back and end to the run. It will keep the shavings or straw dry, your birds will still have the benefits of the outside through the front on the run (The remaining open side) Obviously it depends on your run. you will also be able to level it up.

Its just a suggestion- depends on your layout. It would be kinder to their feet.

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2187 Location: Shropshire

This thread may be of interest Dani

http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7911&highlight=gravel

Woodburner · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

If the way my pair of silkies scratch is anything to go by, in about a week you won't have any gravel in the run but the garden will be full of it! Very Happy

I think that as it's only a low level run it would be too dark if you covered it with wood, chooks need to sunbathe Wink

Clear roofing of some sort would be better imho.

mojo · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject:

the secret to using gravel is the size 10/20 mm min ...........that way the water/poo and disinfectant can wash thro easily........heres how ........put birds to bed ............wash/disinfect........rake level in morning............let out birds...................have used this system for years and it still never smells

Clucky · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2187 Location: Shropshire

james419 · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 5:15 am Post subject:

I would also agree with Mojo - I have covered the area outside the shed with gravel and the mes produced by chooks and ducks has dropped dramatically and no smell!

mojo · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:43 am Post subject:

like everything its size that matters ...........too small compacts and smells as it cant drain properly......the larger size is easier to keep clean and rake level......glad others agree

dani · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Surrey

Hey all

Thankyou so much for lots of ideas .

I have been out this morning and got some gravel ,its 10ml i hope this is ok it was that or 20 ml and that looked to big and uncomfy for the girls to walk on .

I have decided to cover the bit of the run where i keep there food so that stays nice and dry and leave the rest open so they get lots of light ,i figure that if it rains it will give the gravel a extra wash and that the chookins will go in to bed (hopefully ) .

The girls seem to like it and we got a perfect un eaten egg this morning !

mojo · Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject:

a fine fruit net over the run will keep out wild birds and let in rain and sun........oh yes and they seem to like kicking the big stuff better....they have hard feet...they walk on them all the time..................best of luck...its asuper hobby