Hi all! So, my run used to be grass...Now, as you csan imagine, the grass is totally gone and it's just hard dirt. I was wondering if anyone adds dirt(top soil maybe?) to the run and if so, how often? I was thinking maybe 6 inches as it would pack down to 3... What are your thoughts? Or, should i be adding a layer of something else? Thanks, Mike
Sand would be better and easier to clean. I have heard "playground" sand is best. Then you can sift out the poo with a poop scooper or a special rake.
If you have access to leaves or pine needles you can dump that in your run. Hens love scratching around in it and the leaves will break down quickly and make a nice barrier between the dirt and their feet. Alternatively, you can buy hay, alfalfa or rice hulls if you can find them. I've even dumped a whole bag of pine shavings in my run before.
I use peat moss. It is soft. The hens love to dust in it. Areas with droppings will compost if you put some more peat on top of it.
Chickens love the dirt to dust themselves and scratch around in but it's...well, dirty. I have dirt in my run, we dump grass clipping and leaf litter into it and the chickens spread it around nicely. Sand would be good if you are looking to deal with rainwater (soil tends to retain water quite well), but the chickies will have more fun with dirt and leaf litter. Hope this helps!
We did add dirt to our run in 2011, I wish we did sand instead. The girls do love to dig holes & dust bathe in it but the sand would have drained better in my opinion. If we ever add to it again, it will be sand. I wonder tho, where does all that dirt disappear too??
I'll have to try sand this spring! Sounds great and...we a have a "sand pit"! Doesn't everyone? . It was used for my husband's construction company. LOTS of sand left. I find that the girls tend to dig holes in the run where they dirt bathe, which I have to fill in to keep the predator fence buried. Sand it is! HippieChickHomesteader.wordpress.com
