Building a chicken run

[Primicum Bavaricum]

Ok, I would have 2 questions.
Just building my 10 x 10 chicken run in our backyard. While building it I more or less ruined all the grass where it is now. So there is only dirt left which will be the inside of the run. Would it be a good idea if I would put sod in it? I would also have a dedicated corner with sand, so my chickens would have an area to take a sand bath. Or is it better to leave just the dirt like it is?

Second question. if I may?
I live in SoCal. And it does get hotter and hotter here by the year. Would it be a good idea to install some misters in the run? Of course, I have a roof over it and, on purpose, I built it under a huge tree for shade.

I would so appreciate it if anyone could answer those questions.

Thank you

 

[DobieLover]

Ok, I would have 2 questions.
Just building my 10 x 10 chicken run in our backyard. While building it I more or less ruined all the grass where it is now. So there is only dirt left which will be the inside of the run. Would it be a good idea if I would put sod in it? I would also have a dedicated corner with sand, so my chickens would have an area to take a sand bath. Or is it better to leave just the dirt like it is?

Second question. if I may?
I live in SoCal. And it does get hotter and hotter here by the year. Would it be a good idea to install some misters in the run? Of course, I have a roof over it and, on purpose, I built it under a huge tree for shade.

I would so appreciate it if anyone could answer those questions.

Thank you

Don't bother with sod or trying to grow grass back in there. The chickens will just destroy it.
I would add a thick layer of dry organic matter for run litter. Whatever is available to you. I like wood chips because I can get them for free.
You can set up misters if your chickens seem overheated. Deep shade on damp ground with a floor fan also works well. As does offering a shallow plastic pan with a large ice block to melt that the chickens sip from and wade in.

 

[Corbdee]

Ok, I would have 2 questions.
Just building my 10 x 10 chicken run in our backyard. While building it I more or less ruined all the grass where it is now. So there is only dirt left which will be the inside of the run. Would it be a good idea if I would put sod in it? I would also have a dedicated corner with sand, so my chickens would have an area to take a sand bath. Or is it better to leave just the dirt like it is?

Second question. if I may?
I live in SoCal. And it does get hotter and hotter here by the year. Would it be a good idea to install some misters in the run? Of course, I have a roof over it and, on purpose, I built it under a huge tree for shade.

I would so appreciate it if anyone could answer those questions.

Thank you

Hello! How much time in advance are you building the run from when you put them in there? And what poultry are you putting there? Ducks and geese tend to like to rip grass and eat it, but chickens don’t as much, so I would recommend sod if it’s for waterfowl, but If you do, make sure it’s a little bit in advance before you have them in there, so the sod can grow roots. You could also do grass seed and hay and wait about a month for it to grow. About the mister, that’s out of my experience, my apologies

 

[Primicum Bavaricum]

Hello! How much time in advance are you building the run from when you put them in there? And what poultry are you putting there? Ducks and geese tend to like to rip grass and eat it, but chickens don’t as much, so I would recommend sod if it’s for waterfowl, but If you do, make sure it’s a little bit in advance before you have them in there, so the sod can grow roots. You could also do grass seed and hay and wait about a month for it to grow. About the mister, that’s out of my experience, my apologies

Hi, thank you for your response. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. I will have chicken. Most likely around January.

 

[Corbdee]

Hi, thank you for your response. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. I will have chicken. Most likely around January.

Oh nice . Than I wouldn’t bother trying to put some sod down. Chickens will just dig through it, like @DobieLover mentioned.

 

[Primicum Bavaricum]

Don't bother with stuff or trying to grow grass back in there. The chickens will just destroy it.
I would add a thick layer of dry organic matter for run litter. Whatever is available to you. I like wood chips because I can get them for free.
You can set up misters if your chickens seem overheated. Deep shade on damp ground with a floor fan also works well. As does offering a shallow plastic pan with a large ice block to melt that the chickens sip from and wade in.

Thank you. This leads me to another question. No matter if I would have grass or organic matter. How often or how in general do I clean the inside of a run? With water or raking? When you say organic matter. Are you talking about straw or what other options are they? Sorry, for bugging you with all those questions.

 

[DobieLover]

Thank you. This leads me to another question. No matter if I would have grass or organic matter. How often or how in general do I clean the inside of a run? With water or raking? When you say organic matter. Are you talking about straw or what other options are they? Sorry, for bugging you with all those questions.

I don't clean anything out of the run.
Dry organic matter can be wood chips, dry leaves, pine shavings, etc. You don't want to use anything that will mat or pack down. A mixture of things is good.
I add a truck load of wood chips annually. The chickens organize it from there.

 

[perkolator]

Adding sod will be a waste of money - the chickens will tear it up pretty quickly. I wouldn't personally add misters, because moist chicken poop stinks more. The shade will be enough.

I built a run extension this year and it started out as grass....then was bare dirt after a few weeks of chicken activity. Now I toss in wood chips, leaves, old straw bales - pretty much anything organic that's going to give the chickens something to pick through all day looking for goodies. When I see it's starting to break down, add more material and scoop out some of the decomposed stuff to add to the compost pile

The chickens will likely just dirt bath wherever on bare ground. If you want a dedicated sand area, I'd say contain it somehow or it will get spread out

 

[aart]

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.

 

[Primicum Bavaricum]

I don't clean anything out of the run.
Dry organic matter can be wood chips, dry leaves, pine shavings, etc. You don't want to use anything that will mat or pack down. A mixture of things is good.
I add a truck load of wood chips annually. The chickens organize it from there.View attachment 2450728

Thank you SO much for your great answer. Your run looks great btw. I learned so much just in one single day here. So glad I joined this group.