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post #1 of 8
2/23/12 at 10:23am
Thread Starter 

so i live in mount Vernon WA its north of Seattle and we get ALOT of rain and it doesn't feel fare to have the chickens constantly in mud when they go out in their run does anyone have any ideas of how to fix this ?  anyone know of any special bedding or  plants i could grow anything? cause i feel dirt and mud just isn't an option


Edited by ck18 - 2/23/12 at 10:26am
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post #2 of 8
2/23/12 at 10:33am

SAND!  It's perfect for wet areas.  And you can rake it out nicely.  Chickens love to dust bath in it too, when it's dry. 

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

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post #3 of 8
2/23/12 at 10:54am
Thread Starter 

Sand? ive never heard of it being used but it sounds like it would work wonderfully thank you chicmom

 

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post #4 of 8
2/23/12 at 1:28pm

if i had it to do over again I would do a layer of pea gravel and then the sand...about 6" of sand

 

But just the 3" layer of sand i have over clay soil is a lot better drainage than just the dirt.

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post #5 of 8
2/23/12 at 1:35pm

Here's a pretty in-depth article about dealing with mud:

 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-fix-a-muddy-run-chicken-coop

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/129278/speckledhens-ten-commandments-of-good-flock-management

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

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http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/129278/speckledhens-ten-commandments-of-good-flock-management

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

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post #6 of 8
2/24/12 at 8:02am

You are welcome! smile.png

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ck18 View Post

Sand? ive never heard of it being used but it sounds like it would work wonderfully thank you chicmom

 



 

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

Reply

Proud owner of some nice show quality Buckeyes and Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  I love gardening and being outdoors.  I'm lucky to have a great family, and two cute dogs.  I live out in the country on six wooded acres and it's just paradise!  (Except the mortgage payment and bills, of course)

Reply
post #7 of 8
2/27/12 at 12:05pm
Hey I'm in Washington too and I use sand in my run. It works wonderfully! I also use about 6" of it. Good luck!
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post #8 of 8
2/27/12 at 1:13pm

do you have a top on your runs? I have a top on mine and it stays dry as I tarp the side the rain flows. my state gets tons of snow, but with a top over the run and tarps it stays toasty dry. with the snow and rain, my chickens would be slaughtered in mud. my run is only 10x12 ( son to be 10x15 but it will have a new top on it made of tin. slanted so the run off hits the back hedges.

 

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VKLTUgfkcBs
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http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=VKLTUgfkcBs
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