[escapedtothecountry]

We are planning to have 4 chickens. Have a little house for them. Put the chicken mesh in and going to put wood around the top and bottom of the wire.


Then going to make sure there is plenty of shade.


A work in progress - and definitely not as good a run as some people on here (Victorian Farmer for one  ).

[chrismahon]

You've got plenty of room there ETTC. Shade and shelter is really important as they won't go into the house during the day if it is raining until they are completely soaked -then they will be ill! They do suffer sunstroke as well -if we ever get any sun. You will find that younger hens will easily clear that fencing but it will be far less of a problem when they have bulked-up and are laying. We tied some canes to the posts and ran several lines of string around to add an extra two feet for a while, which worked a treat until one of the cockerels jumped out of the adjoing run and destroyed the string lines. Helps to have a 6 foot length of 2 foot solid barrier in the middle as well, so they can shelter from the wind on one side or the other -chickens hate wind more than rain.

[escapedtothecountry]

Out of picture are two large conifers which will provide shade from one side and shelter from the wind - though will definitely put something in the middle for our new arrivals (when we get them) to shelter behind.

[Mammyshaz]

That looks a good size ettc  like the row of trees/ bushes growing at the side too. They will give good shading when they mature I expect.
What are you getting? Ours are hybrids and we bought cheap turf to do the area to give a nice nibble area  only to find it a muddy bare run within a month as they are such dedicated diggers  .
Lesson learned. 
 More piccies when they arrive Please 

[WarescotFarm]

hi, building one tomorrow along these lines!
have you done skirting or put wire on the bottom? am thinking about how far we need to go to fox proof
also how high is the fencing to keep the fox out?
thanks e

[escapedtothecountry]

I think my wife wants some lavender peeking frizzles (Not sure if that is the right name).

[escapedtothecountry]

hi, building one tomorrow along these lines!
have you done skirting or put wire on the bottom? am thinking about how far we need to go to fox proof
also how high is the fencing to keep the fox out?
thanks e

I am going to skirt the bottom with wood and also the top of the wire with bits of wood - as we have lots left having just had a new roof put on the house when I kept all the trusses and batons that the tiles were nailed into.


I will also put a row of bricks around inside the run to tighten up the wire.


Frankly the number of rabbits one would think we would have some very fat foxes around our neck of the woods without wanting chickens - but am sure as soon as the chickens are in situ Mr Fox and family will be sniffing around.


www.escapedtothecountry.com

[WarescotFarm]

THANKS, SO THE IDEA IS THE FOX CAN'T DIG UNDER THE SLATS OF WOOD AND BRICKS? SORRY BOUT CAPS!

[Mammyshaz]

Your OH has good taste  they are so cute. Ive been trying to convince OH of these, pointing at them at the last few shows we've been to, to no avail  frizzles are deff a no no to him. And normal feather Peking well ?  still working at it,  found local breeder       

I do still want a few more LF  good layers too.

Definitely want to see some  photos... If only to be jealous   

[escapedtothecountry]

THANKS, SO THE IDEA IS THE FOX CAN'T DIG UNDER THE SLATS OF WOOD AND BRICKS? SORRY BOUT CAPS!

Had lots of advice re foxes - from digging wire over a foot into the ground to putting wire across the top of the run so it is fully enclosed as foxes can apparently climb wire. I will do as much as possible - but if something wants to get in, and is determined enough it probably can.


My aim is to make it difficult (the same with all the fencing I will eventually put up to keep rabbits from the veg).

[escapedtothecountry]

Your OH has good taste  they are so cute. Ive been trying to convince OH of these, pointing at them at the last few shows we've been to, to no avail  frizzles are deff a no no to him. And normal feather Peking well ?  still working at it,  found local breeder       

I do still want a few more LF  good layers too.

Definitely want to see some  photos... If only to be jealous   

No idea where we will get ours from - but will go get some as soon as building work is complete.

[Mammyshaz]

www.perfectpekins.co.uk is a good site with list of breeders but there is also a Pekinclub of GB.
I found the name of a local breeder on one of the poultry forums who is local so will hopefully visit If
When the time arrives.

[escapedtothecountry]

Great - thanks for that - really useful!