Best material inside approximately 450 square foot run...???

[Panhandler80]

I've gone so far over money and time budget on this dang project. Made my LAST trip to Lowes this morning (I swear... LAST trip. Got a few random pieces of lumber I had not accounted for, a few more 90 degree PVC elbows, my exterior paint for the house, etc) and dropped yet another $200. I'm going to have about $2,500 in this stupid thing... that being the case... why bother sparing expense on material for the run.

What would be the best option? I'm not wild about sand idea.

Facts:

- NW Florida. Average 60 inches of rain per year.
- Approximately 60 x 7.5 foot run (including 8x8 area at top under coop)
- Coop at top of hill and run goes down hill
- Rise / Drop of maybe 1 / 12
- Soil drains very well

So, what should I be looking for?

Hope to have chicks OUTSIDE by Sunday pm. All that's left is trimming out the run (sandwiching hardware cloth between run frame and trim boards... about 100 pieces), a little coop hardware install, painting coop, a little roof edge trim, putting metal roof on, running trim on the inside of the 2" of exposed 2x8s that have been mostly buried above my hardware cloth apron that drops 12+ inches into ground thereby sandwiching that hardware cloth, building my 17 gallon feeders, rain shields for feeders, chicken coop ramp, and... I think that's it. I don't need anything in the run immediately, but it won't be long before these 20 birds have eliminated all the grass.

 

[Panhandler80]

I have read where a lot of folks really like sand. But these same folks are scooping poop on nearly a daily basis. NO THANKS! I'll take a little odor over all that noise. Is that the standard protocol with sand?

What about some other type of mulch? I would assume you just let it absorb the poop and you don't worry about it. Then maybe clean the run out in it's entirety 2-3 times per year. I'd MUCH rather go that route.

Thanks again.

 

[Chicken Heel]

With the good drainage you describe good old Mother Earth herself should be fine. And kudos to you for dropping that kind of cash on this endeavor. I have spent a fortune on chickens and their care in my lifetime and don't regret a single penny. It has brought me so much joy.

 

[Panhandler80]

With the good drainage you describe good old Mother Earth herself should be fine. And kudos to you for dropping that kind of cash on this endeavor. I have spent a fortune on chickens and their care in my lifetime and don't regret a single penny. It has brought me so much joy.

Doing nothing would certainly be nice. I guess it can't hurt to at least give it a shot on the front end with fingers crossed!

As far as the expense goes... I've never been accused of doing things half-arse. Would rather do lots of work on the front end than have to constantly fix, etc. Makes all things more pleasant to own. Same way I've built boats, a house, a dock, and many other projects! My "$1,200 weekend chicken coop project" has spun a bit out of control, but it's all good. ;-)

 

[aart]

I swear... LAST trip

What about some other type of mulch? I would assume you just let it absorb the poop and you don't worry about it.

Yep, that's what I do.

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 best IMO.
Can be hard to find the chippings, and I have room to store a full load.

 

[Panhandler80]

Yep, that's what I do.

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 best IMO.
Can be hard to find the chippings, and I have room to store a full load.

Laugh all you want. I'm telling you... I really think that will be the last trip. Only took about 10. I bet I could build another one in half the time, for probably 20% less. Oh well... ;-)

You don't worry about bark on the RCW? I'd read that bark in the run was a big no-no. Maybe that's just doing exclusively bark.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You don't worry about bark on the RCW? I'd read that bark in the run was a big no-no. Maybe that's just doing exclusively bark.

My wood chips have everything from bark, entire small branches, pinecones, mixed in - completely fine. My deep litter is 100% free - wood chips, dried leaves, dried grass clippings, weed and garden trimmings, pine needles, all sourced from my lot.

And my run is about same size as yours. It does take a while for all the material to start building up but it does a great job in minimizing odor and controlling mud.

 

[aart]

You don't worry about bark on the RCW? I'd read that bark in the run was a big no-no. Maybe that's just doing exclusively bark.

It's fresh 'wet' RWC, especially stuff that has been chipped when green leaves are flush, that can cause problems with mold blooms.
Let it age a bit and/or only put down very thin layers at a time to let it 'dry' out.
It's doesn't take much to start reducing the poop stink.