The Poultry Keeper

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

Hi all - I posted a while back to see if we actually had room for chooks - thanks for all your help.

Things are progressing now and this week we start to build the run. It's going to be a permanent run so we're making it very strong but is there anything else we should be doing in terms of construction to prepare for any bird flu? Things are moving faster than we'd like because we've been offered 3 pullet hens, but the woman wants them moved soon (we were aiming for March) - we're loathe to turn them down as they're free.

The area is enclosed on 1 side by a south facing concrete wall. We're going to set the upright posts into concrete, with a single brick course all around the perimeter. We'll attach the run to these bricks and the posts, in sections using fine weld mesh. Wickes stocks some with holes 10 mm x 15mm. Is this fine enough?

The entire run will be covered with Onduline - which we'll now over hang by 12 inches.

The coop itself will be made of plywood and raised a couple of feet off the ground to give maximum floor space.

This was our original plan - any other suggestions would be very welcome. Would it be safer to pave the floor and cover with woodchips so it can be pressure washed?

I must admit I'm half excited but am getting a little edgy now and am wondering if its best to wait until later in the year and see what the situation is then.....

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

You seem to have made excellent plans, well done.
No, don't wait ~ if you do you will deprvie yourself of all the joy the 3 girls will give you.
Avian flu passes through here all the time, this one is more hyped than the others. If you take all the precautions, then you should be fine.
What have you been offered?

mojo · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:44 pm Post subject:

mmake sure to pave the floor,make sure you have slope on odaline the right way(i had to redo mine) and go for it the best of luck keep us informed how you get on

Alfietinker · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 82 Location: Southminster, Essex

Oh I do hope so! I've wanted chooks for so long - I've even named them - Esmerelda, Daisy and Flo Smile

Which way should the roof slope? We were going to have a lean-to against the existing wall - sloping in one direction away from the wall. I guess this means sloping towards the door-side. Perhaps we should re-site the door?

The lady isn't sure what the hens are. She said they "look like Marrans, just your typical farmyard chicken. But not Rhode Island Reds". There's 4 different colourways, so we've got 3 different ones. I haven't seen them yet though.

Ooh, getting excited again!!! Smile

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

move the door to the side ~ and then it should be fine. Better yet, but a gutter on the low side and put into a drainpipe into a soak away.
It matters not, what breed name they are given ~ you will love them in no time at all ~ well in maybe 1 second after you get them!