Chicken run bedding\litter over hardware cloth

[Roseynose]

So I attached hardware cloth to a 4" deep frame that my coop+run sits on. I realize hardware cloth can injure chicken feet. What can I put in the run area? I was thinking gravel so they won't dig down with dirt on top of the gravel? Or bedding, or sand. but with sand I don't want to have to try change it out every year that would be so much sand. Or can I get away with not changing out sand and maybe remove the coop from the frame and hose the sand down I'm stumped and my chickens are out growing there brooder. I've got raccoons, stray cats, opossums, and rats running a muck in my neighborhood and backyard every night so I need the hardware cloth under the coop. I never thought this would get so complicated.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

 

[BDutch]

…
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.

I agree. Good idea to follow this advice of Rosemarythyme.

Another solution might be to lay tiles on top of the hwc. And on top of the tiles a deep layer of sand/ dirt.

 

[Roseynose]

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.

I agree. Good idea to follow this advice of Rosemarythyme.

Another solution might be to lay tiles on top of the hwc. And on top of the tiles a deep layer of sand/ dirt.

Hmm your right. Maybe the hardware cloth and frame need to go. So many things to consider. I'm going to look up how the apron idea works. Hopefully I can salvage the hardware cloth I used on the frame

 

[rosemarythyme]

Another solution might be to lay tiles on top of the hwc. And on top of the tiles a deep layer of sand/ dirt.

Hmm wonder if this could possibly work, though there'd need to be gaps left for drainage. My main concern would be, would the tiles cause an odor issue, since poop and moisture could build up underneath? Also potentially you're looking at a lot of tiles, if the area is large.

I actually do have a few stone tiles in my run, around the fence posts by the doors to prevent chickens from digging around the posts. So they're good at stopping them from digging...

 

[3KillerBs]

my suggestion would be to remove the hardware cloth and install it as an apron instead.

This is your best option.

Chickens need to dig and scratch. It's instinctive and I sincerely believe that no good can come from frustrating those instincts.

 

[aart]

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

@Roseynose this^^^ is important info.

 

[Roseynose]

@Roseynose this^^^ is important info.

It's a avituvin coop plus run extension. 12 ft long by 29" wide. Set up on a frame made of 2x4 boards with hardware cloth attached. Under the coop/run frame is gravel and sand to even out the lumpy ground and lift a bit to prevent mud and water in the coop. I'm in the Pacific NW where it's often raining.

 

[BDutch]

I presumed the coop+run was a coop with an attached and roofed run. So there wouldn’t be any issues with rain/drainage. Is it a prefab? Do you have a link or a few photo’s?

The dimensions are a bit bigger than my coop/run combination. which is fine for the night and early morning with just ( let me guess) 4-5 bantams or 2-3 medium sized chickens. Maybe a few more if you have an automatic pop door that opens after sunrise. Of course depending on the roost area as well. But imo you’re run has not sufficient space to keep a couple of chickens locked in all day. I have 6 bantams in my coop+run combination with a auto pop door going to a larger attached run of 15m2. Because this larger run is not very safe in the night.

How many chickens do you have? Are you planning to free range the chickens the whole day?

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's a avituvin coop plus run extension. 12 ft long by 29" wide. Set up on a frame made of 2x4 boards with hardware cloth attached. Under the coop/run frame is gravel and sand to even out the lumpy ground and lift a bit to prevent mud and water in the coop. I'm in the Pacific NW where it's often raining.

So not so large that you couldn't try pavers + elevating to make more room for dirt/bedding over the wire and pavers. Though I'd still consider cutting out removing the hardware cloth instead of fussing with all that... you might not even need to remove it, as if you cut around a few sides you could fold it out on one or two sides so it can be used as part of a predator apron.

Not sure how many birds you plan on having in there, but due to water seepage the best flooring choice in rainy climates is generally some form of deep litter, however volume of litter vs number of birds will play into that as well.