Chicken/landfowl Run flooring?

[Wolf-Kim]

I am also going to start on of these in the waterfowl/duck section, since ducks are a little more challenging as far as drainage, but chickens are tough because they like to scratch.

So, how to maximize drainage and keep those silly birds from scratching their run away. I know I have to raise it up as it is, because they have scratched away portions of dirt around the perimeter of the fence.

I can get mulch free, but I didn't think that was a great idea since it holds moisture. They sure would have a hayday stirring it up though.

What do you guys think? What type of flooring, if any do you put in the runs to prevent the dissapearing of dirt and collection of water.

-Kim

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sand could work well. Water will drain right through it. If you can put a layer of small gravel then top it with about 3 or 4 inches of sand, you should be in business. The gravel will help keep the sand from disappearing into the dirt underneath. You might need to put something around your run to line it to keep the sand from washing out, landscaping timbers, rocks, brick? They'll still scratch so it is not perfect, but it is the best I can think of.

The mulch would get too wet and is a pain to remove and replace.

Good luck!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Quote:
Hm, so here's another question! Would it drain well, if I decided to "dig" the pens in. For example, instead of raising/framing the pen with something that is going to hold all that little in(4-6inches of gravel/sand/etc); if I had the area leveled down and framed by the earth instead? Would it still drain?

Just planning. LOL

I enjoy planning my future pens/coops/and barns. I know that if you are going to spend money on pens, might as well do it right the first time, save money, time, and frustration!


Any plants that chickens won't mess with if you planted it into the chicken coop? Landscaped pens are so nice, I would love to give the birds shade and seclusion without them snacking the thing into the ground! LOL

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hm, so here's another question! Would it drain well, if I decided to "dig" the pens in. For example, instead of raising/framing the pen with something that is going to hold all that little in(4-6inches of gravel/sand/etc); if I had the area leveled down and framed by the earth instead? Would it still drain?

It depends on the soil around it. If it is a sandy soil, yes it will drain. If it is a clayey soil, no, it will be like a bath tub. If the run is on a high piece of land or on a slope, you can put in a French drain or some other type of drain. You can google French drain if you are not familiar with it, but it is basically a ditch filled with small gravel or sand. If you go this way, think on the predator-proofing so you don't create an easy way for predators to dig in. Digging it in instead of using a frame would help the sand last a lot longer.

You could try a "perc test" (perculation) but I'm not sure what results you would be looking for in your situation. A perc test is where you dig a hole about 30" deep, fill it with water, and see how long it takes for the water to disappear into the soil. If you are planting a tree, if the water disappears in 6 hours, it is considered a well-drained soil. For your purposes, I'd think you would want the water to disappear a lot faster, probably 30 minutes or so but I am not an expert. I'd think a drain of some type would be your best bet.

Any plants that chickens won't mess with if you planted it into the chicken coop? Landscaped pens are so nice, I would love to give the birds shade and seclusion without them snacking the thing into the ground!

The only thing I can think of is large trees too big for them to kill. Someone else may have some examples. Another problem to landscaping in a run is that the poop will build up and can easily kill a plant. The soil becomes too "hot" to support plant life. That's why you need to compost chicken manure before spreading it on your garden. Your birds need shade and would love seclusion to hide their eggs from you, but your best bet is probably something manmade, not natural. Actually a little seclusion probably makes for a happier flock. It gives the chickens at the bottom of the pecking order a chance to get away from the dominant ones and helps reduce boredom.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I understand about burning up the plants, I had forgotten and wasn't adding that into my planning. I think what I'll end up doing is putting a climbing rose(have to check toxicity levels) or some other hardy(non-appetizing) vine to grow up and over the top to provide the shade.

I know I could always get a shade cloth or a tarp, it's just I don't care for the way they look. Now I know the birds health comes before the properties looks, but I know that many times we can achieve both if you just look for the answers.

Hm, as far as seclusion inside the pen, I will have to just get creative.. I put last year's Christmas tree in there for them to play with, but it's bare now and I took it out. I suppose I'll just have to get creative with logs and rocks, maybe even look into potted plants to provide shelter/seclusion and avoid burning up the plants.

Thanks
-Kim