Always something!

[FLXCHIX]

we made a nice enclosed chicken run for the winter. Essentially, two 16ft fence panels arched and covered with heavy plastic. It has keep the rain and snow out wonderfully! I laid straw down added some wood logs, their dust bath, the whole nine yards! BUT! I have been noticing the straw getting more and more wet. I know that it is coming from the ground, I just didn’t think it would be so much. Straw is definitely not soaked, but getting more wet each day. Do I have any options besides raking out heavy wet straw regularly? The run is 100 sf, attached to a large coop and can’t be moved (moved without a impending divorce that is). Any advice would be very appreciated.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Is the inside of the run lower than the outside ground level?

 

[FLXCHIX]

Is the inside of the run lower than the outside ground level?
[/QUOTE

yes, but we live essentially live on the side of a hill. The area we live in is very hilly/mountainous lake country.

 

[DobieLover]

Can you build a swale on the uphill side of the run to divert runoff around it?

 

[M Brennen]

I’m having the same issue. The snow on the upper side is melting and draining into my run.

 

[FLXCHIX]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Can you build a swale on the uphill side of the run to divert runoff around it?

Thank you. only if I’m ready for a divorce...

 

[Fishychix]

Thank you. only if I’m ready for a divorce...

I was told to put pallets in my run. So far so good, but i need to get more
I only put in two

 

[black_cat]

Maybe you could add more dry material to the run? Whenever mine is getting too wet I add some dirt (i keep some in a barrel under the porch to keep it dry, but bagged dirt from home depot would work), some sand, some dry pine shavings, some wood chips, some dirty shavings from the coop.....just more stuff in general, then I mix it all around. Always seems to fix the problem for me.

 

[FLXCHIX]

I was told to put pallets in my run. So far so good, but i need to get more
I only put in two

Pallets for pullets?? But seriously, how does that work? They just hop around on the boards?

 

[black_cat]

Pallets for pullets?? But seriously, how does that work? They just hop around on the boards?

Maybe you put the bedding on the pallets so that any water goes under?