9" of Rain and a Muddy, Stinky, Mess of a Run...Any Advice?

[JurassicChicken]

We have had some 9" of rain this week, and the fenced run which encloses my coop has turned into a horrible, stinking, muddy mess. The area has no grass, used to be a dog run, and I have been using wood shavings as a base, and have never experienced a situation like this in which the unrelenting rain has caused such a mess. It is slowly drying out, and I was wondering if there is something other than wood shavings that I could use as a base, preferably over the mud once it dries out. Yesterday I was able to cut the grass and I deposited the grass clippings in the run which the chickens had scattered in no time (I always give them the grass clippings which they love). Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

I'm wondering the same thing too. We enclose our coop with a dog fence and we had a bunch of rain.

 

[Folly's place]

We have (thank God!) never had rain like that here!
I'd add more shavings, grass clippings, weeds, hay; anything to add to the run base and get them out of the wet.
Trenching to drain the water away from the coop and run.
A covered run, as much as possible.
Good luck!
Mary

 

[21hens-incharge]

Keep adding grass clippings, leaves, alfalfa and other leafy organic matter so it becomes a deep litter run.

Also trenching as Mary suggested.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Before my husband built a roof for my outdoor run, it was an endless battle between the mud and the horrible stench. After it rained, I would lay hay chaff down. It helped prevent my chickens from walking in the mud while the run would dry out. The problem with laying grass clippings, straw or plain hay or chaff is that it eventually becomes a thick, layered lasagna of chicken poop and decay. You need to dig it all out at least once a year, which becomes a gross, nasty task.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Before my husband built a roof for my outdoor run, it was an endless battle between the mud and the horrible stench. After it rained, I would lay hay chaff down. It helped prevent my chickens from walking in the mud while the run would dry out. The problem with laying grass clippings, straw or plain hay or chaff is that it eventually becomes a thick, layered lasagna of chicken poop and decay. You need to dig it all out at least once a year, which becomes a gross, nasty task.

Good points.

I should have mentioned that at least once a month during summer I turn it all over using a broad fork.

It keeps it soft and fluffy while improving drainage.

 

[Folly's place]

I have a smaller roofed run, and it's wonderful. My flock free ranges whenever possible, but hates the snow, so the covered run is perfect. It would also help during tropical storm deluges, which aren't a problem in Michigan.
Mary

 

[aart]

Wood chips in various sizes....from tree trimming companies, then preferably aged for a couple-few months to avoid the mold blooms that can happen with fresh chippings, get a good base of 3-4".
Then also add other dry plant materials as they become available, leaves, straw, dried grass clippings, etc.....all in moderation to avoid matting.

 

[JurassicChicken]

Thank you for your responses; some very good ideas there. And I'm somewhat relieved to learn that I'm not the only one who has had to deal with this problem. Keep the ideas coming!

aart, thanks for the photos.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Agree with all the above ... aart's remedy it a good one with all that rain you've gotten, wood chips and over the run & deep litter method.

We've been having alot more rain than usual since late Dec '17, get a day or two of sun but not enough to dry out. Their Enclosure is dry except when it pours non-stop, one section wicks the ground water down the length about 12" wide. So I rake the shavings off to the dry side but next time will try tossing down some of the horse stall pellets (absorbs and breaks down to sawdust) I've been reading about.