[melholly]

Morning all,

Thinking of keeping 2-3 hens in my garden. They can range around when I'm there but need a ark/run to move about the garden mostly. I *think* I need one:
a) that I can move!
b) that has a nest box?
c) that has a perch
d) that has a slide out floor for cleaning?

Sheep, ducks, pigs, dogs etc I can do - bit novicey at our chicken friends so advice on arks welcome. Checking local suppliers in E. Sussex the price seems to be top end (Forsham Arks in the area) and ebay seems to be VERY hit or miss and obviously the wood quality is unknown until it's too late!

Thanks
Mx

[Bionic]

Mel,
Being a novice too and having just bought a coop I can tell you what I would change if given a second chance.

Mine has a slide out tray for easy cleaning but to be honest I am not sure its any easier. The tray is shallow and the wood shavings can't get through the gap when I pull it out.  If the tray were deeper it would definitely help.

There is a small run attached but the door isn't wide enough for me to get my shoulders through. Of course the chickens have no problem but if I want to put food/drink inside its very difficult for me to manouvre.

Sally

[melholly]

Sally, thank you. That makes sense on both counts!

I especially see the usefulness in a large run door! It just seems such an outlay to not get it right! Even on ebay there's a used Forsham ark selling for £170!!

Mx

[Mammyshaz]

I would say go for the biggest run you can afford and good quality wood. See one before buying. We nearly bought one from the Internet, luckily viewed it locally first, it looked huge in the photo but in reality it was tiny, not big enough for a guinea pig let alone a few hens.

[chrismahon]

We build all the runs for our coops. All the ones for sale I've seen are far too small. Ours are 4 square metres (2 x2) and constructed from treated 2" x 1" roofing laths -suits 2 -4 large fowl with free ranging half the day, otherwise only good for one or two.

Coop door size I have ended up with is 800 high x 600 wide.

[smudger]

A real bug bear is nesting boxes higher than roosting perches, perches too small, sizing based on 1sqft/bird, nest boxes not dark/private enough, no real access for proper cleaning. I also prefer flat pack in hindsight as you can take it apart and clean out every crevice (lovely hot day so it dries before bedtime). What is useful, but depends on your chicken keeping abilities is a lift up roof so you can pick them up and administer/check whilst they are half asleep. More dignifying and less painful than trying to catch them. ;

[aaronsundin]

I have a forsham ark which 5 of the chooks live in . They range during the day and get shut in at night . I bought it about 9 years ago and it's stood up to the extreme weather conditions we get here in north east scotland . It's very sturdy - has a nest box at one end and a perch running the length of the upper deck . A ladder allows the chooks to go up and down as they please .  It has a removable side panel for cleaning and doors at each end at ground level . I think I've only wood stained it a couple of times  . It was quite expensive but has proved to be well worth the money . I also have a chook house with a slide out tray and as bionic has said they are not well designed , I use cheap cat litter in mine because shavings are too deep for the gap . Hope this helps. 
Stefan