Can you use tarp sheets to line a chicken run to make it easier to clean?

[Sire12]

I'd rather not do a chicken tractor and have a permanent run that I can fox proof, I've heard of deep litter before but haven't tried it, wouldn't it leave a smell?

Also does anyone know if the size of that yard in the pics would be big enough where I could let 9 chickens in there all day without them making it bare or would they still do that eventually?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've heard of deep litter before but haven't tried it, wouldn't it leave a smell?

If properly done there should be little smell, even if you're standing in the middle of the run. The key thing is to build up
a good mix of different sized materials, to allow for drainage. I use mainly chunky, aged wood chips and dried leaves, and add in short clipped grass, garden trimmings, etc. as I get them.

 

[aart]

Also does anyone know if the size of that yard in the pics would be big enough where I could let 9 chickens in there all day without them making it bare or would they still do that eventually?

Answered here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ake-it-easier-to-clean.1282085/#post-20689382

 

[MissChick@dee]

I would worry that they would rip it up and eat the shreds.

 

[Sire12]

Ok thanks for the answers, in that case I'll probably only take 4-5 of them with me to minimise damage to the garden and give the rest to my uncle he has an orchard which is full of chooks so they'll be happy there. I wouldn't want to try deep litter incase I did it wrong and it left a smell, also since its compost wouldn't it attract rodents that's definately something I want to try and avoid where possible I keep all my pet food in air tight barrels to keep them away, I've been used to brushing up poop from their shed then binning it and then spraying the floor and roosts with a white vinegar solution with peppermint essential oil (to deter rodents) and brushing it down again that's why I wondered if a thick rubber / tarp bottom to a pen might be easier to clean using this scrubbing down method I don't mind cleaning them out daily it doesn't take long

 

[MichelleKing]

I like the idea of changing out grassy areas. I have rounded soft pebble gravel in my run and i grow grass patched that I put in my run periodically for them, which I can easily remove and throw away when its gone. Its super easy to grow grass. A tarp would be noisy and uncomfortable for them I think.

 

[aart]

I wouldn't want to try deep litter incase I did it wrong and it left a smell, also since its compost wouldn't it attract rodents

Not if you only used dry plant materials.
Are you seeing my posts?

 

[Sire12]

Not if you only used dry plant materials.
Are you seeing my posts?

Sorry lol, I saw but I don't trust myself to be competent enough to do it properly

 

[aart]

Sorry lol, I saw but I don't trust myself to be competent enough to do it properly

You can do it we can help.
'Composting' does not have to be a foot deep and wet and smelly.
I just use a few inches of big wood chunks from commercial tree trimming and chipping,
not sure if that will be available to you or not.
That's the best stuff to break down('compost') the chicken poops.
Carbons(browns) balanced with nitrogen(greens).
With chickens you just need the browns(dry plant matter) the poops are the greens.
I do add some other smaller more fragile(breaks down faster) dry plant stuff like dry grass clippings and dry leaves.
I'm not trying to make garden soil, just keep the poops broken down.

So start looking for where you can acquire larger pieces of wood chippings.
When are you moving and when will your new run be ready??

 

[Sire12]

You can do it we can help.
'Composting' does not have to be a foot deep and wet and smelly.
I just use a few inches of big wood chunks from commercial tree trimming and chipping,
not sure if that will be available to you or not.
That's the best stuff to break down('compost') the chicken poops.
Carbons(browns) balanced with nitrogen(greens).
With chickens you just need the browns(dry plant matter) the poops are the greens.
I do add some other smaller more fragile(breaks down faster) dry plant stuff like dry grass clippings and dry leaves.
I'm not trying to make garden soil, just keep the poops broken down.

So start looking for where you can acquire larger pieces of wood chippings.
When are you moving and when will your new run be ready??

Ok I'll look around thx, hopefully moving next week but the run probably won't be up for a month or so