Best flooring for uncovered run area

[Gferna19]

Hello,

What is the best floor you would recommend for a chicken run. In the coop I use shavings during warm weather and I switch to straw for the winter only. but my run is just dirt and it get really messy when it rains. I read about sand but I'm concern about winter time. I live in Clarksburg, MD and sometimes it gets pretty cold and idk if it's true that sand it's bad in cold climate. How about woos chips? or gravel ? Are they hard to maintain? Thank you.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I use straw in the run.

 

[Gferna19]

I use straw in the run.

How do you like the straw? How much do you add? I found that my straw kept on stinking after a rainy day.

 

[AnnaWolf]

I love woodchips! We also can get lots of rain and i dont have mud or smells, i also made a sanbox for them so they have a place to take dustbaths and that is my wettest place in the run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Provided you have adequate drainage, look into deep litter. It'll control the mud, control smells, and there's really no maintenance - just keep adding material.

 

[aart]

Hello,

What is the best floor you would recommend for a chicken run. In the coop I use shavings during warm weather and I switch to straw for the winter only. but my run is just dirt and it get really messy when it rains. I read about sand but I'm concern about winter time. I live in Clarksburg, MD and sometimes it gets pretty cold and idk if it's true that sand it's bad in cold climate. How about woos chips? or gravel ? Are they hard to maintain? Thank you.

How big is your run?
How many birds?
Dimensions and pics always help.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are the best base material, IMO.

 

[B-Goock]

I use deep litter method in the coop with wood chips. When I clean the coop out I throw the chips in the secured run. i havent done it yet since i moved but once or twice a yr (usually fall) i would dig the run out and throw it in the garden or compost pile. Then refresh the wood chips in the run. Its amazing how much "dirt" they create.