Ground cover for indoor run area.

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Ashdoes

Ashdoes

Songster
8 Years
Jun 11, 2012
1,725
138
211
Peyton, CO
We have our coop in a stall in our barn, attached to the barn is a large enclosed run. We leave the door open and the chickens go in and out as they please. When it's the warmest part of the day they go into the barn, and of course, poop all over. I've been going in every morning and raking the poop, which I move to the run and put around my plants. But I'd prefer not to do that everyday, so I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for the ground in there. I've read that some people use gravel, or straw. I want something easily cleaned, and I'm wondering how the heck you keep gravel clean?
Also, since this is Colorado I have to plan for winter, when the chickens will be spending a majority of their days in there.
Thanks for any help.
~Ashley
 
Hi Ashley,
I use straw as it is still a good mulch for the plants. They also enjoy scratching around in it for bugs. I personally wouldn't use gravel because as you say, how do you keep it clean. With keeping chickens or any type animals you have to expect poop. Also wood shavings are a good floor cover. I also have seen sand used, as you can easily scoop the poop up, sort of like a kitty litter. I hope this helps :)
 
I like the idea of sand in the chicken stall. It would probably be easier to rake than the hard ground in there right now.
Anymore ideas? I'm open to most suggestions.
 
Hi,

What kind of sand is ok to use? Play sand? I have been thinking of putting sand down on the dirt because I would think they would like it and the ground is so dry and hard at this time
 
KDK1 said:
Hose it down... the only drawback is that you loose all that valuable poo for the compost pile. 
Click to expand...


Not only would I lose the compost, but that's way more work than I'm looking for. Also, wouldn't it to stink? Wet poo? Ew.
 
trishcap said:
Hi,

What kind of sand is ok to use? Play sand? I have been thinking of putting sand down on the dirt because I would think they would like it and the ground is so dry and hard at this time
Click to expand...
I use play sand myself, but when the stores around here ran out, I had to switch to paver sand for a bit (didn't like it as much...and it wasn't as "clean" as the play sand. Come winter I'll be moving the girls from their coop into one of the empty horse stalls - I'm planning on using sand there, with maybe some shavings over top.
 
Cargo said:
Deep litter with pine shavings would work nice and you only need to clean it every 6 months or so.

 
Click to expand...

I really don't think I want shavings covering the entire stall floor. Not sure about the sand either, but seems to be the best choice so far.
 

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