Anyone use a concrete pad in run? Suggestions? Advice. Newbie

[Crazychocolatedog]

good morning,
We bought a cute chicken coop, and our 4 chicks are almost 4? weeks old. We’ve moved onto step 3, building the run. We thought by using this existing concrete pad would help keep things clean.
Do any of you have a concrete pad? I assume I must put something over it to soften their step. Any suggestions? I live in an area with lots of snow, and/or rain. ..and crabby neighbors close by So I need easy maintence so I can clean it often.
The chicks are in a huge brooder...like a puppy helping box and they seem very active! I gave them crickets yesterday and it was like a cracked open a piñata with candy!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Part of my run is over concrete. I wouldn't suggest doing the whole thing, but if its a must then do it. It does make the whole fencing thing so much more secure to predators, since they can't dig under and get in. that said, you do need to make sure the fencing is secure to the troublesome pests... Like rats. I do have rats that have decided to take up residence in the non-concrete portion of the run and even though I think their numbers have gone way down since I started putting the food at night (took me a bit to figure out what was going on).
Finally, yes, I put down a thick layer of hay, and change it every two weeks unless its been rainy, then we go to once a week.

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

Sand! I have a sand floor in my run and LOVE it! Very Easy to clean. Maybe build a rim so it doesn’t fall out.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

Part of my run is over concrete. I wouldn't suggest doing the whole thing, but if its a must then do it. It does make the whole fencing thing so much more secure to predators, since they can't dig under and get in. that said, you do need to make sure the fencing is secure to the troublesome pests... Like rats. I do have rats that have decided to take up residence in the non-concrete portion of the run and even though I think their numbers have gone way down since I started putting the food at night (took me a bit to figure out what was going on).
Finally, yes, I put down a thick layer of hay, and change it every two weeks unless its been rainy, then we go to once a week. View attachment 1378693 View attachment 1378694

I’m going to use 1”wire mesh...hopefully the rats won’t fit. I can’t stant rats. I shoot them with my pellet gun.

 

[Crazychocolatedog]

Sand! I have a sand floor in my run and LOVE it! Very Easy to clean. Maybe build a rim so it doesn’t fall out.

In the winter, won’t it get soaking wet and freeze solid?

 

[Howard E]

Provided it is elevated enough to drain, cement floor in the run is ideal. No digging predators can get in, and that includes rats. To soften it up, use old grass hay. About 6 inches or so to start. Add to it as needed. About once or twice a year, you can clean it all out and start over.

BTW, any form of litter that is organic.......meaning it was once part of a living plant.....is good, and the litter and droppings that accumulate on it will start to combine to break down the litter and absorb the droppings. Inorganic things......like sand......do not break down. They smear and accumulate the droppings......either on it or beneath it.....where it will congeal over time into a gawd awful smelly mess. You might break your back trying to clean that out and will be a repugnant job when you do.

 

[Howard E]

BTW, on the sand, I should probably clarify that a bit. IF.......you live in a dry climate area, and are faithful about daily cleanups, sand might be OK. In a wet area, where any droppings get left out to be rained on......that is where the trouble builds.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you have the concrete pad, and it makes sense to use it for your run, then do so. Rats can easily breach a 1" hole, so your run will not be rat or mouse free.

As Howard states, building a deep composting litter on top of the concrete would be your best maintenance option: in terms of ease of maintenance, lack of smell. Added bonus: you will not have to clean poops out of there. They will magically disappear while giving the birds a job to do: produce tons of rich, black, fragrant compost for your gardening pleasure. Added bonus ++: birds that have access to DL have healthier immune systems, improved feed conversion rates, and actually derive part of their daily sustenance from all the goodies they find in the DL.

All that being said, I am a fan of DL in both coop and run, a soil floor makes DL work better and faster than a solid floor.

 

[staceyj]

Rats can get through 1” wire mesh. Evil monsters...
You might want to go smaller.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

totally agree.
Oh, and I have DL in my non-concrete run. So easy to deal with.