Question about run..

I'm also intereseted in input on this - our run will be under and around three 100 year-old lilac bushes near the horse paddock, and within 50 feet of the house.  Since it's under the lilacs, I'd rather not put sand (and I've read that that gets smelly and nasty after a year or two). I definitely read about putting leaves shredded by the mower in the run, but how much? Fill it up a few inches deep? Will mulch or wood shavings work as well?

 

Also, should I be concerned about the lilacs...?

I have done this in my run.  I mowed my front lawn (I do not use chemicals or fertilizers) and kept 3 of the mower bags for the run - just dumped and spread it all out.  I've also piled in a bunch of straw.  I go in and rake it over sifting it around each morning, and the chickens are also scratching it and turning it all day.  So far, no smell and even with some good rain, the top layer stayed very dry (I have a roof on my run).  I plan on raking up all the leaves that have fallen into my front yard this weekend and adding them to the run too.  In just 4 weeks I can tell that it is composting and breaking down into the ground.  Providing a good compost-able cover to the ground benefits the soil, which in turns brings in the worms/bugs etc. that the chickens find for a little snack.  They have really fought over slugs and grub worms.

 

Plus if you have access to clean grass and leaves all year, it's FREE!

If its deep enough, rain shouldn't be an issue.  As long as your not sitting in a flooded area or something.  I live in TX and we don't get much rain either............and love the link you found!!  Good info.

vickilynn45, thanks for that link! That was extremely helpful. My protected runs won't have cover (except for hardware cloth on the top). The only covered part will be directly under the coop they will sleep in. I too am wondering about pine shavings and straw getting wet and smelly.
 

Thanks for the input! And Vickilynn, that's a very informative link.

Rain is kind of a feast or famine where we are in NY, or at least has been the last couple of years. We're not planning on roofing the run, but the henhouse is a generous 7 feet in diameter, so the girls (we're only getting 6) should be happy inside in inclement weather.

 

I use a litter system in both my run and in my coop. During the summer, I use lawn clippings and in the fall I mow up my leaves and put this leaf material in teh run and when the garden is finished for the year...let them have it. The chickens will consume all my waste produce and rototill the garden for me. They are such hard workers.