Best way to keep run from turning into a muddy quagmire?

[aart]

Put a picnic table in there and tack a piece of ply-wood against the windy side to form a lean-to wall. Not only will it give them a protected area to hide under when it snows, but you'll essentially double your "floor space," since they'll have a second story!

Could be a viable solution.^^^^

@tweetzone86 can you post pics of your run?
Might help garner some more ideas.

I have to shovel part of my run, we get feet of snow in our lake effect region, and keep the snow knocked off the mesh roof. Luckily there is one small area of run under the coop with wind blocks for shelter...and the coop is pretty big for the days no one will go out.

 

[tweetzone86]

Put a picnic table in there and tack a piece of ply-wood against the windy side to form a lean-to wall. Not only will it give them a protected area to hide under when it snows, but you'll essentially double your "floor space," since they'll have a second story!

What a great idea!

 

[igorsMistress]

I've used composted mulch to improve the soil in my yard, after it breaks down it helps it soak up water better and gets rid of slippery areas. Over that I have now put down a six inch layer of bedding straw. The chickens scratch it up and I level it out so it gets turned regularly. It has helped tremendously in the coop yard.

I don't think solid cover helps as a cure all because there's always runoff so improving the soil would go a long way. Wood chips would do the same thing but will take a little longer to break down.

PS I second the picnic table! We have one that I covered with shade cloth and the girls hang out under there in summer.

 

[tweetzone86]

Could be a viable solution.^^^^

@tweetzone86 can you post pics of your run?
Might help garner some more ideas.

I have to shovel part of my run, we get feet of snow in our lake effect region, and keep the snow knocked off the mesh roof. Luckily there is one small area of run under the coop with wind blocks for shelter...and the coop is pretty big for the days no one will go out.

I will try to get a pic in a bit (just woke up-rough night. Our furnace dropped down to 50 degrees for some reason and we were just asleep enough to freeze but not realize why). In the meantime:

As you can see, the ONLY roofing over the run is wire for now. After my surgery and recovery we plan on putting a roof over the back half of the run. That way there's a dry side but they can get plenty of sunlight on the left. Unless we're out there to keep cats away they are in the run. We can't safely range them in our yard because of cats and hawks.

Ah the "joys" of living in suburbia Won't be forever though- hopefully we can get acreage next year

 

[townchicks]

I don't have to deal with snow, but I've found that adding bark mulch to my deep litter made a HUGE difference in drainage. I also use leaves and used pine shavings. My yard slopes downward and the chicken run is in the lower part, so drainage can be a problem. Using the bark mulch was well worth it to me. You can often get free wood chips from a tree company, I've read on here that it needs to age first though, to avoid mold.My run is covered, but only the middle part stays dry, so covering helps, but you'll still need better substrate that drains.
Good luck with your surgery, I hope that your doctor can convince the insurance blankety blanks soon. Been there, done that, second (or third, fourth?) take a good eight weeks recovery time. You'll be up and about in a week or two, but that drains the energy level fast! No lifting or bending chores for the full recovery.

 

[MROO]

I will try to get a pic in a bit (just woke up-rough night. Our furnace dropped down to 50 degrees for some reason and we were just asleep enough to freeze but not realize why). In the meantime:

View attachment 1576808

As you can see, the ONLY roofing over the run is wire for now. After my surgery and recovery we plan on putting a roof over the back half of the run. That way there's a dry side but they can get plenty of sunlight on the left. Unless we're out there to keep cats away they are in the run. We can't safely range them in our yard because of cats and hawks.

Ah the "joys" of living in suburbia Won't be forever though- hopefully we can get acreage next year

Nice set-up! A partial roof will make it perfect ... just in time to move!