Pain in the Mud

[darmstrong124]

I have a total mess in my chicken run. I have had a crazy amount of rain and it is a total mud pit in the run plus the drainage it terrible. I was thinking of using large landscaping gravel (size of silver dollar) to it. This way it will build it up plus and adding sand as well. Is it okay to make the run this way. This is the only area we can use for them and the standing water situation is terrible, and I need to get the girls out of the muck!

Ohio Weather

Thank you

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC....sorry you're having troubles.
I would not add gravel or sand.
Post some pics of the run and the surrounding area.
Best to re route any runoff from surrounding area using trenches/swales and/or berms.

This might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/another-dlm-thread.1245796/#post-19987649

as might this:
Here's a great description of contents and how to manage organic 'bedding' in a run or coop...and there's a great video of what it looks like.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1037998/muddy-run-help-please#post_16017992

 

[barneveldrerman]

Welcome,
I agree with aart, you should try to divert any runoff and I would not put gravel in run in less covered with lots of material.(hard on their feet). However, I think some sand near the coop would be fine if it will help you with the drainage. I would personally not put sand in the whole run because in the summer it is not as nice as plain soil especially if it is not hot enough to dry out.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!