Base for the run?

[This_chicks_place]

I we live in upstate ny and my question is: Is there something I can put out in the run that is safe for the girls that will look nicer than the dirt floor thay have now bcause they have dug up all the grass? What would you suggest and why? Does anyone clean their run or leave it as is?

 

[queenbeezz]

Sand. I have sand approx 4 in deep in the run. Absorbes the moisture, they bathe in it, it's easy to clean, just rake up the lumps. About every six months we replenish about 2 inches worth. We mix it with DE to keep down the bug population.

We have tried everything from wood chips to saw dust and find that the sand is best.

 

[tysonandperdue]

I've been using sand for over 12 years. Works great. I also mix DE in the sand which keeps mites and bugs away. I clean up the chicken poop every few weeks by using horse manure fork that has small screening over it so only the poop stays in the fork while the sand falls back into the enclosure thru the screening. My husband placed stone blocks on the entire floor of the enclosure (this keeps any animals from digging under the coop to get to the chickens) and then put the sand on top. He also put a 6" border around the enclosure which help prevent most of the sand from washing away. (See photo).

 

[7L Farm]

I'm a sand fan. It's also easier on their feet & they love bathing in it.

 

[queenbeezz]

Under the sand in our coop we have wire that wraps around the outside border of the sides (2x8 border). Then the sand and DE mix. This prevents predators from digging under. Sand is 4-6 inches deep. I'm in Florida and this is wonderful for drainage of moisture from the rains. Eventually we have achieved a packed sand floor underneath the loose top layer.