Best base material for runs

[B-Goock]

You could put sand but all they will do is take dust baths and throw it everywhere. ha ha. They love to dust bath. Have a beach theme in your run. Sand, some plastic palm trees, maybe a beach chair or two, umbrella, oh yeah and a corona cooler as a waterer. "Pimp my run" "BYC cribs" ha ha

You asked before about using sand but wanted them to have access to grass, worms, bugs, etc. You could make boxes in your run and plant them. Sort of like a raised bed garden. In the walk ways put sand. You can even put some chicken wire around one of the boxes and let it grow up then give them access to that one and do a different box.

 

[B-Goock]

dang paint program. showed full page on this computer. resized.

 

[paxinospullets]

That's a really good idea, B-Gook. I just might try something like that. Very creative!

 

[frjeff]

I just finished my new coop and run. Took the advice of many here and covered dirt with 2.5" of limestone washed gravel then topped it off with three inches of all-purpose sand.

If no base of gravel is used, the sand may eventually simply become mixed into the dirt giving you "sandy mud."

Mine will get tested a week from today when I pick up my heritage RIR's and Barred Plymouth Rocks.

 

[recfsh]

I switched to sand this spring. I find I need to re level every once in a whi longer . They like dust bathing and leave divots throughout. Also the sand gets lower around their feeder. Probably from pecking at the fall out. So far was the best choice in my opinion. No smell. We've had hot weekends. Rainy days with no smelly effects yet.

 

[chkn]

I had a problem with tapes until I put sand in the run.

 

[paxinospullets]

Chkn - "tapes"?

 

[B-Goock]

That's a really good idea, B-Gook. I just might try something like that. Very creative!

Thank you. Right now I have 4 tomato plants growing in one of my runs. Just used some chicken wire to make wire cylinders around them to protect the plants from the chickens. I stuck one wood stake in the middle of the 4 and just tied all 4 cages to the stake.
My plan was to have two separate runs so I could let them use one while the other grew up then rotate them. My addition of more chickens kind of shot that plan in the foot.

The planter box solution seemed like it would be easier without cutting them down on square footage by half just to grow green stuff. They still grab tiny bits of green through the wire but not enough to kill the plants. Keeps them entertained too.

 

[lithiachick]

”Have a beach theme in your run. Sand, some plastic palm trees, maybe a beach chair or two, umbrella, oh yeah and a corona cooler as a waterer. "Pimp my run" "BYC cribs" ha ha".
Love this! Should be a contest if it's not already! My theme for my coop and run is "whiskey a gogo" i'm gonna have a marquee and bar area that has tiered planters for sides! And ask the girls "whiskey" names will be listed on metal hung by chain so it can be added to or removed. I don't start my flock til they hatch next week and my run isn't built yet as we have time. My question for you nice folks is; I am placing the coop in the wooded part of my south Florida property to keep them from evrheating. It is woodlands and the base is bark, pine needles, and old leaves. It drains very well but do I have to be MORE concerned about mites or other problem parasites in that environment?

 

[pmpkinchick]

You could put sand but all they will do is take dust baths and throw it everywhere. ha ha. They love to dust bath. Have a beach theme in your run. Sand, some plastic palm trees, maybe a beach chair or two, umbrella, oh yeah and a corona cooler as a waterer. "Pimp my run" "BYC cribs" ha ha You asked before about using sand but wanted them to have access to grass, worms, bugs, etc. You could make boxes in your run and plant them. Sort of like a raised bed garden. In the walk ways put sand. You can even put some chicken wire around one of the boxes and let it grow up then give them access to that one and do a different box.

Love this idea! My husband is a great gardener, so I think my run needs some planters.