I have eight hens in a 9'x9' run. I let them free range for about one - two hours per day. At about 6:30 P.M., they go into the coop and come out at about 6:30 A.M. The coop has pine shavings in it which I remove the droppings from every other day, yet keep the pine shavings in it (deep liter method being used). The run has dirt in it which I rake the droppings out of every third day. The run drains well and about once per week, I take a deep, four- prong hoe and turn up and loosen the soil in the run.
My question is, is this enough maintenance/cleaning or should I be doing something else? I plan to put sand into the run next Spring, but for now, I am stuck with the soil in the run.Your advice and experience will be welcomed.
My question is, is this enough maintenance/cleaning or should I be doing something else? I plan to put sand into the run next Spring, but for now, I am stuck with the soil in the run.Your advice and experience will be welcomed.