Best ground covering for run?

[Nemesia]

Hello everyone! My family and I are completely new to chicken keeping and before purchasing any chickens we are trying to get all the info we need to keep them happy and healthy. One thing we are a tad stuck on is the floor covering for the run part of the ark we have purchased. Reading various threads and internet sites it seems that woodchip, sand and not barkchips are a common theme. The area where the ark will go is at the moment paved with concrete slabs. I have read this is fine if we cover the concrete with straw or woodchips to protect their feet and allow them to browse through the covering. However we could take up the slabs and put woodchips ontop of soil (we would also keep a concrete area around it to protect from foxes). We are going to keep the run protected from the rain so they wont get wet feet either way. Any advice?

We live in the UK and are very much looking forward to keeping lovely chickens! Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

 

[downsm75]

I use sand, clean with kitty litter scoop and it's easier on my wallet

 

[abChicken]

If I understood correctly think I remove the concrete from run part and use river sand river- sand works for me - Just my thought