Chicken run bedding\litter over hardware cloth

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately you might end up with drainage issues due to rain + rubber mats, but give it some time and see how things go.

Being realistic, you're probably going to need to expand that run - as it's barely large enough for 3 standard(?) birds, and a couple hours out isn't going to compensate for it, but again that's something to keep an eye on and adjust if needed.

 

[Roseynose]

I know someone with a smaller coop without the added run 6 ft total with 3 mid size hens and they seem happy. Also for the rain I'm putting tarps on the side that the rain comes in. It has clear panels as a roof along the whole run and flashing over the hinged areas as well as calking in all the gaps. But you might be right with drainage. Maybe I'll get my leather eyelet hole punch and punch holes along the sides of the mat

 

[rosemarythyme]

I know someone with a smaller coop without the added run 6 ft total with 3 mid size hens and they seem happy. Also for the rain I'm putting tarps on the side that the rain comes in. It has clear panels as a roof along the whole run and flashing over the hinged areas as well as calking in all the gaps. But you might be right with drainage. Maybe I'll get my leather eyelet hole punch and punch holes along the sides of the mat

See what happens after a few rainstorms and compensate if needed. Even the best planned set up usually needs a few tweaks.

As far as if the flock will do fine in the amount of space, maybe they'll be fine, maybe they won't - some birds may want more space for themselves. Again, just something to be aware of if issues arise.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Any photos of the set up? And/or how large are the coop and run (in sq ft)? What's your climate conditions like?

Gravel is a bad idea in general, it can be hard on their feet as well and can get stinky as poop bits wash down in between the stones and start rotting. You could possibly use some gravel in conjunction with other materials, i.e. for drainage, but as a general rule it's easier to just not bring it into the mix in the first place, because once it's there you'll never fully get rid of it.

Also chickens want to dig, so rather than try and stop them from doing what comes naturally, my suggestion would be to remove the hardware cloth and install it as an apron instead. If you're dead set against that, then is it possible to provide deep enough dirt and bedding over the hardware cloth to allow the birds to dig safely? Be aware that chickens can dig pretty deep, so you're looking at 6-12" of material.

It may take awhile to acquire a good amount of run material but over time, it will all break down and provide many inches of good flooring for them. Last year when i started, i used mulch and since last year I add dead leaves, grass clippings and more leaves! In the summer i mist the entire run when its hot. It helps break everything down. The mulch has since broken down, and now the covered run is perfect with dirt for them to bathe and healthy grounds to even grow rye berries! No smells in run. I simply rake around in the run to cover wet poops and it all breaks down perfectly. I only have 5 hens tho! When Choosing a run material, it's important to consider your weather patterns. Heres a pic of my rye berries that seems to pop overnight! Lots of worms if you dig in the run too. I would never put hardware cloth on ground. Those chickens love to dig deep! Its exercise and necessary. Also, hardware cloth can be dangerous! My chicken ripped her comb 75% off from digging too close to the edge. She must have picked her head up and got the comb stuck. I use an apron as well. Good luck to you and your flock!

 

[Roseynose]

It may take awhile to acquire a good amount of run material but over time, it will all break down and provide many inches of good flooring for them. Last year when i started, i used mulch and since last year I add dead leaves, grass clippings and more leaves! In the summer i mist the entire run when its hot. It helps break everything down. The mulch has since broken down, and now the covered run is perfect with dirt for them to bathe and healthy grounds to even grow rye berries! No smells in run. I simply rake around in the run to cover wet poops and it all breaks down perfectly. I only have 5 hens tho! When Choosing a run material, it's important to consider your weather patterns. Heres a pic of my rye berries that seems to pop overnight! Lots of worms if you dig in the run too. I would never put hardware cloth on ground. Those chickens love to dig deep! Its exercise and necessary. Also, hardware cloth can be dangerous! My chicken ripped her comb 75% off from digging too close to the edge. She must have picked her head up and got the comb stuck. I use an apron as well. Good luck to you and your flock!

Oh wow poor bird. Did she heal from that? I ended up covering the hardware cloth with a rubber mat, and 4.5 inches of bedding. I pick up the chicken poo daily with a small rake to keep it clean. To keep the bedding dry I have a 10'x13' clear tarp canopy that I set up when ever it rains. We had some heavy rain the last few weeks and everything stayed nice and dry. We already had some raccoons trying to mess with the coop so I'm glad I put cloth underneath so I can worry less.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

With the help from the amazing BYC crew ( u know who u are), i was able to nurse her back to health. The biggest concern was infection, so i kept her indoor for about 8 days. I was able to clean it and monitor so it worked out well. And some advice, a mirror is a perfect friend when you have a chicken alone & isolated from the flock. They are flock driven and need a flock to feel safe which encourages healing. She sat in front of a mirror 75% of the time and it helped keep her calm and therefore helped her heal. A good ol' mirror for the win!!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

With the help from the amazing BYC crew ( u know who u are), i was able to nurse her back to health. The biggest concern was infection, so i kept her indoor for about 8 days. I was able to clean it and monitor so it worked out well. And some advice, a mirror is a perfect friend when you have a chicken alone & isolated from the flock. They are flock driven and need a flock to feel safe which encourages healing. She sat in front of a mirror 75% of the time and it helped keep her calm and therefore helped her heal. A good ol' mirror for the win!!

Rosemarythyme and 3killerb's, you 2 have given me advice to every single question i have ever had. From the days of me wondering why my chickens were flapping around on the ground at 4 weeks, and not roosting at 9 weeks, and what to do about pasty butt as well as first aid when patient ripped her comb. Also answering all of my questions about feed and everything in between. You 2 are gems. I thank you. again. May your Flock thrive always

 

[Roseynose]

With the help from the amazing BYC crew ( u know who u are), i was able to nurse her back to health. The biggest concern was infection, so i kept her indoor for about 8 days. I was able to clean it and monitor so it worked out well. And some advice, a mirror is a perfect friend when you have a chicken alone & isolated from the flock. They are flock driven and need a flock to feel safe which encourages healing. She sat in front of a mirror 75% of the time and it helped keep her calm and therefore helped her heal. A good ol' mirror for the win!!

Sweet bird I'm glad she recovered. That's such a good idea with the mirror.

 

[3KillerBs]

Rosemarythyme and 3killerb's, you 2 have given me advice to every single question i have ever had. From the days of me wondering why my chickens were flapping around on the ground at 4 weeks, and not roosting at 9 weeks, and what to do about pasty butt as well as first aid when patient ripped her comb. Also answering all of my questions about feed and everything in between. You 2 are gems. I thank you. again. May your Flock thrive always

You're very welcome.

I learned from those who came before and were willing to answer my million questions.

 

[Roseynose]

Made it bigger. You were right it wasn't big enough