Bedding in Run

[britinpa]

I layed sand then mulch and you can leave the other half but just so you know when the grass is gone it will become mud

Thank you! Our soil is very shaley and the run is on a slight slope, so hopefully it should drain pretty well. I think I will try and avoid just mud

 

[rosemarythyme]

The chips won't be an issue for chicks.

10 days old, note the different sizes of wood chips and pieces (mixed with other organic matter):

 

[britinpa]

The chips won't be an issue for chicks.

10 days old, note the different sizes of wood chips and pieces (mixed with other organic matter):
View attachment 2256051

Thank you for sharing your (adorable) picture - it puts my worrying to rest - I think I'm still fretting too much (as a first time chick mum)- I think I'm driving my husband crazy!

 

[Flockincrazy]

Thank you! Our soil is very shaley and the run is on a slight slope, so hopefully it should drain pretty well. I think I will try and avoid just mud

If you put sand over the grass it should keep it from turning to mud hopefully

 

[IamRainey]

Our soil here is very shaley, so there are lots of large and small stones beneath the surface.

In that case, make sure you provide them with a spot they can dig in. Dust baths help them keep their feathers in good shape. And digging in is one way they protect themselves from excessive heat. Probably less an issue for you in PA but very important for my flock here in triple-digit Summer territory.

 

[britinpa]

In that case, make sure you provide them with a spot they can dig in. Dust baths help them keep their feathers in good shape. And digging in is one way they protect themselves from excessive heat. Probably less an issue for you in PA but very important for my flock here in triple-digit Summer territory.

It's very rare we get 3 digit temps (thankfully), but it has been 90's this past week, which is still pretty hot. We are putting a roof over part of the run ( so we can keep an area clear for our snowy winters, so they can go out, plus to provide shade in the summer) and some shade cloth around 1 side - I intend getting some sand to mix in, so will create a sandy area

 

[Flockincrazy]

I'm in Northern Ohio cover over your door and make sure it is on an angle so the snow will slide off and get a heated water dish for winter you and your flock will thank you

 

[NatJ]

Adding sand should not cause a problem. But I'm not sure you need to bother.
Chickens seem to scratch, forage, and dust-bathe just fine in any kind of dirt.

The wood chips: the chickens will spread them over the entire run, in a fairly short time. When you add new materials (more wood chips, leaves in the fall, etc)--you don't have to mix them in. You can just dump them in a pile, and the chickens will spread them and mix them.

 

[britinpa]

Adding sand should not cause a problem. But I'm not sure you need to bother.
Chickens seem to scratch, forage, and dust-bathe just fine in any kind of dirt.

The wood chips: the chickens will spread them over the entire run, in a fairly short time. When you add new materials (more wood chips, leaves in the fall, etc)--you don't have to mix them in. You can just dump them in a pile, and the chickens will spread them and mix them.

That's good to know - less work for me

 

[britinpa]

I'm in Northern Ohio cover over your door and make sure it is on an angle so the snow will slide off and get a heated water dish for winter you and your flock will thank you

Thank you! That's where we are planning on doing the roof (a sheet of tin roofing) - we will make sure to angle it. I hadn't thought of a heated water dish - I will look that up now.