Base of outdoor run

[dmunderh2o]

My friend built a great outdoor 20x16' run with a focus on protecting 16 chickens. My question is what type of product/material/bedding to use on the ground that is covered with very secure wire to prevent digging predators. There is a connected protected coop that has hay on the ground and has different levels for variety and their nesting boxes. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

My friend built a great outdoor 20x16' run with a focus on protecting 16 chickens. My question is what type of product/material/bedding to use on the ground that is covered with very secure wire to prevent digging predators. There is a connected protected coop that has hay on the ground and has different levels for variety and their nesting boxes. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Is the wire on the ground inside the run?
Or is there a predator apron around the run to prevent digging predators and keep the chickens from injuring their feet scratching around in the run?
I use wood chips in my covered 12'x28' run. They work great.

 

[dmunderh2o]

Is the wire on the ground inside the run?
Or is there a predator apron around the run to prevent digging predators and keep the chickens from injuring their feet scratching around in the run?
I use wood chips in my covered 12'x28' run. They work great.

Unfortunately, the wire is inside the run as he thought that would be the safest for the chickens as well as giving them an area to safely forage. I am now taking care of them and realized that isn't efficient (hard to keep clean) or comfortable for the hens. We placed
concrete blocks around the entire base for extra protection. I can easily get wood chips if that is best plan at this point. Advice again appreciated!

 

[montanabirdlady]

Unfortunately, the wire is inside the run as he thought that would be the safest for the chickens as well as giving them an area to safely forage. I am now taking care of them and realized that isn't efficient (hard to keep clean) or comfortable for the hens. We placed
concrete blocks around the entire base for extra protection. I can easily get wood chips if that is best plan at this point. Advice again appreciated!
View attachment 3240501

You can use sand or DLM for the run as well. Sand would cover the wire very well, easy to clean, helps with smell, but might not be an option if run isn't covered. Same for DLM.

If run isn't covered, wood chips.

 

[dmunderh2o]

You can use sand or DLM for the run as well. Sand would cover the wire very well, easy to clean, helps with smell, but might not be an option if run isn't covered. Same for DLM.

If run isn't covered, wood chips.

Yes the run is thankfully covered so the full sun times of day won’t cook the sand. Thanks again

 

[DobieLover]

Yes the run is thankfully covered so the full sun times of day won’t cook the sand. Thanks again

They'll dig through the sand and hit the wire.
Can you post pictures of the setup?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Probably a lot of work, but I'd seriously consider cutting all the wire out of the floor and reuse it to apron around the perimeter instead. You would need maybe 8, 12" of litter to keep the birds off the wire, and that's still no guarantee they couldn't dig down to it.

As far as what litter choice is best, it really depends on your climate, how you plan to handle maintenance, etc. Sand is generally better in dry, arid climates, and deep litter is generally better in wetter climates.

 

[montanabirdlady]

They'll dig through the sand and hit the wire.
Can you post pictures of the setup?

Ahhh great point!

 

[dmunderh2o]

Ahhh great point!

Hi! It’s a dilemma for sure. My friend spent weeks on this and still isn’t done, but pulling it all out would get quite the response I’m totally inexperienced so trusted his experience with goal of safety for the chickens - it is safe!! Chunky thick dirt layer and buckets and containers for their dirt baths. I will attach a picture tomorrow. Maybe we could place another base - above the wire - and then deep litter.

The top was covered with netting for shade but that’s down now and the plan is to use the top as greenhouse. We live on central coast of California so fog is common, but sadly not rain. Temps 80-110 July through October, down to 50-60s at night. Winter and spring temps get into low 30s during night maybe 10 times per year, otherwise 40s usual at night, 50-70 during day.

Thanks everyone!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

The top was covered with netting for shade but that’s down now and the plan is to use the top as greenhouse. We live on central coast of California so fog is common, but sadly not rain. Temps 80-110 July through October, down to 50-60s at night. Winter and spring temps get into low 30s during night maybe 10 times per year, otherwise 40s usual at night, 50-70 during day.

I'm not going to weigh in on the wire because you've already gotten good advice, but since the person doing the building didn't know that I'm concerned that he also didn't know about the proper ventilation for a coop in a hot climate.

This is my hot climate article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And this is my coop ventilation article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/