Winterizing chicken run

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boyce1690

boyce1690

Hatching
Oct 19, 2016
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Hello! I'm looking for advice/suggestions on what to use in my outdoor run during the rainy/cold months. It is a mud pit right now & makes feeding & getting eggs a nightmare! In the summer I lay bark, but that doesn't seem to help when it's raining all day every day. Thanks in advance!
 
Be sure the pen is slightly sloped so the water will drain to start with. Then a deep layer of mulch or pea gravel will help.
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join us here! Muddy runs sure are a nightmare :( Please do check out this section of the learning Center ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/housing-and-feeding-your-chickens
There are some very good articles on winter chicken keeping and how to fix a muddy run in there.

Wishing you the very best of luck for the future and enjoy BYC :frow
 
Greetings from Kansas, Boyce1690, and
welcome-byc.gif
! Great to have you aboard! Great advice on that link above so I'll just say best wishes and enjoy your flock!
 
Without seeing your setup it's hard to help too much, but is there any way you could cover at least part of the run?

Oops, edited to add: Welcome to BYC!!
 
Last edited:
A solid run covering that extends a bit beyond the footprint of the run can help protect from rain & snow. In winter some flocks stack hay bales around the perimeter as wind breaks, or use heavy tarps attached to the wire.
 
PS in the coop if you use 2 x 4's for roosts, have the 4" inch side UP and you can tack towels to it. Chickens like to spread their feet out flat and rest their heads on top to keep their feet warmer. You will also need to change water often /breaking the ice or use a heated waterer.
 

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