The Poultry Keeper

creamcrackered · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 1:13 pm Post subject: Newbie

hi, i'm new to the chicken world and i need a bit of advice on where to put the coup. i've got it at the bottom of my garden at the moment where the girls are protected from the winds, but it doesn't get a lot of sun and is very damp and boggy, im not sure whether to move them up to the top of the garden which although the wind hits it is a lot sunnier, although in summer its very hot at that part, this will be the third time i've moved it in 2 weeks if i go ahead and i'm not sure the OH will take kindly to it because when i say i've moved it, of course i mean i'm the overseer Very Happy

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

Are your girls going to stay in the run all the time, or free range? If they're going to free range then I would certainly move them up to the top. I don't think it wilbe good for them long term to be in very damp conditions. Even if they are to stay in the run I would move them where it is drier. You could always cover the windward side with a tarpaulin or even heavy duty polythene, to keep them from the winds. Likewise you could cover part of the run with a darker covering to keep out the hottest sun. Or if your run is fairly tall you could erect something in it to act as a shade for those of the girls who want to sit under it.
My run was facing south and so got a lot of sun in the afternoons, but there was a buddleia bush in there which gave them shade. I also had a large golfing umbrella fixed in a washing line holder with their food and water under it mainly to keep the rain off the food, but they could also shelter from the sun under that. I also had an old wicker coffee table in there for them shelter under. Just a few ideas that could be used.
Having said all that, mine stayed out in the rain and stayed out in the sun!!! But I would de;finitely move them from soggy and boggy.

creamcrackered · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject:

great i'll do that, they don't have a run just share the back garden with the three kids and a daft engish cocker spaniel. sometimes i even have to let the kids in the house or else the neighbours start moaning

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

Nice neighbours you have then?!?
I do hope they're not going to be funny about your girls. The occasional gift of eggs sometimes wins them round!

creamcrackered · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:30 pm Post subject:

neighbours are great, it's just my kids that are horrible

debcat · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:33 pm Post subject:

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

Perhaps you should start up a swap shop for spare children