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+--- Thread: The old chicken run (/showthread.php?tid=2146)
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The old chicken run - Veggie - 09-04-2024
Bright ideas needed please.
As you know, I don't have chickens now so their old run is looking for other uses.
Its fenced on all sides but there is no roof.
The sides are higher at the door end (about 7') but only a couple of feet high at the far end. The roof was removed so that I could stand up in it. Putting netting over it would not work.
Its in the shade most of the day but I may be able to lower some of the nearby shrubs to give a bit more light.
The floor has been lined with chicken wire to stop rats so its not suitable for root crops.
The floor has been divided into two halves - the upper half (door end) had gravel on it and this is mixed with the soil now.
The other half has plenty of well manured soil/compost over the wire.
How would you use this space? I have some ideas but thought I'd see what you could suggest as two heads or twenty heads are better than one.
RE: The old chicken run - Small chilli - 09-04-2024
Even though it’s shaded and not a candidate for netting. I think I’d still try fruit bushes.
Or plan B would dismantle it. Use the space for something else. And put your fence up somewhere else maybe if needed?
RE: The old chicken run - Veggie - 09-04-2024
[attachment=7461]
Found an old photo of the chicken run. Dismantling it would be too much work for little reward.
RE: The old chicken run - Small chilli - 10-04-2024
Ok plan C
.Uses it as a climbing frame for something?
Sweet peas
Morning glory
Rose
Honeysuckle
Clematis
Peas
Beans
Cucumber
Squash
Something I’ve not thought of
RE: The old chicken run - JJB - 10-04-2024
How far down is the floor netting? Digging down to cut it out might widen your choices for growing. Although it seems a waste to not use chicken manured soil, forget about growing and use it to store things that don't need to be weatherproof.
RE: The old chicken run - JJB - 10-04-2024
If you put some posts in at the short corners you could throw flimsy net over and maintain enough head height.
RE: The old chicken run - Veggie - 10-04-2024
(10-04-2024, 09:14 AM)JJB Wrote: How far down is the floor netting? Digging down to cut it out might widen your choices for growing. Although it seems a waste to not use chicken manured soil, forget about growing and use it to store things that don't need to be weatherproof.I'm not sure how deep the wire floor is - the soil gets deeper the further away from the entrance you go. Removing the wire would mean removing all the soil first - that is another job I don't want to do!
Initially, I thought of filling crates with the soil and planting into those. That's still an option although I'm tempted to do some experimental plantings, climbers like peas and beans around the edges and maybe courgettes or salads in the middle.
I planned to take some photos today but it hasn't stopped raining.
RE: The old chicken run - JJB - 10-04-2024
(10-04-2024, 07:59 PM)Veggie Wrote:(10-04-2024, 09:14 AM)JJB Wrote: How far down is the floor netting? Digging down to cut it out might widen your choices for growing. Although it seems a waste to not use chicken manured soil, forget about growing and use it to store things that don't need to be weatherproof.I'm not sure how deep the wire floor is - the soil gets deeper the further away from the entrance you go. Removing the wire would mean removing all the soil first - that is another job I don't want to do!
Initially, I thought of filling crates with the soil and planting into those. That's still an option although I'm tempted to do some experimental plantings, climbers like peas and beans around the edges and maybe courgettes or salads in the middle.
I planned to take some photos today but it hasn't stopped raining.
I expect anything you're able to plant/sow will root through any wire netting embedded in the soil. Will any climbing plants shade the inner plants?
RE: The old chicken run - Veggie - 10-04-2024
Yes about the roots - I'm not worried about that, having pulled out vinca, raspberry canes and brambles yesterday. It'd be no good for carrots or spuds though!
Its all shady, deliberately put the run there so that the chooks wouldn't get overheated in the "sun" whatever that is.
RE: The old chicken run - Veggie - 13-04-2024
[attachment=7475] Door end.
[attachment=7476] Inside - dogs for scale.
[attachment=7477] West side
[attachment=7478] East side - this is now clear of Vinca!