The Poultry Keeper

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

I've got a post in the centre of the run and I fixed perches to it at different heights so if they argue there's somewhere to escape to.

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

good idea Richard

fenwoman · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject:

The gazebo idea is now off my list. I bought one, erected it, jammed the legs into the ground, then this morning woke to find it upside down 30 feet away from where it had been placed. The slightest gust of wind lifts it like a hang glider.
The easiest way to make a covered run interesting for chickens is to place a load of fresh straw in the run, then in the morning chuck a handful of wheat over it. They will spend the whole day scratching to find the little grains which will fall right down to the ground. Also put a whole white cabbage in or a couple of whole apples to make them work at getting their food.
I would not be giving them unhealthy treats like suet,and cheese. You want them to stay slim and healthy while confined, not overweight with fatty liver disease.
In a run measuring what the OP's one does, I would place a whole bale of straw.
And folks, don't forget to bird proof your straw stack too since it is believed that this is how the turkeys got the bird flu in France, from infected straw.

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

that sounds like a good idea Fenwoman, I've got plenty of straw so I'll be giving that a go. I got in the run today & turned the ground over really well & they spent most of the afternoon picking off worms & beetles and other creatures.

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

I've read this with interest as Esmarelda, Florence and Daisy will be almost permanently in the run we're building. We were thinking about fixing up a shelf, 3 or 4 feet off the ground as an extra 'level' they could hop onto if they wanted. Would this be of any use? We thought we could perhaps put in a few old objects like a chair or something as a climbing frame?

Any thoughts?

mojo · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject:

seen a run with a chair but the best yet has the kids swing left in it....but chop back on treats if your birds aint getting their exercise

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

Thanks Mojo.

Any treats in particular? I thought we could hang some greens in there - is it best only occasionally then, or do you mean treats in the way of grain?

Thanks to your advice on an earlier post of mine, we've modified our run design and have moved the door away from the slope of the roof Smile

We've paved the base (to be covered with wood chips) and have 2 courses of bricks on the base Smile

mojo · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

how about a piccy....go easy on corn and maize let them have greens,,,dont forget ACV if your birds are inside helps stress levels................mojo