Add anything to ground in run?

[sadie748]

Our run is in an area of our yard that doesn't get a lot of airflow and we live in a humid area of the country. I noticed when their food spills and they don't pack it all up that there is mold or dew forming on those spots overnight. I rake it out every morning. (It's a new run area and these are chicks so we're figuring everything out here so bear with me!) My questions are -- do I need to add anything to the ground to encourage dust bathing and minimize the mold/dew building up overnight? Would you create a separate spot with ash/dry dirt or let them work through the dirt on their own? I have seen them start to take some dust baths on the ground but not get very far because our ground is clay-like.....
Thank you in advance!

 

[aart]

If ground is clay you might need to provide a dust bath with some looser soil.
Feed on ground in a damp area is going to make for mold,
Might have to move feed to a drier area.
I keep my feed inside the coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

What kind of litter are you using in your run?

If it's damp enough that the feed is molding that quickly it's damp enough to not be good for the chickens. Good bedding and correcting any drainage issues that are causing water to get into the run can help.