Chicken Run dirt is like concrete

[jinpark8282]

I have a run and after some heavy rain and time now it is like hard as a rock.
Is there any way I can soften it? Sand maybe? If sand and i just use play sand?

 

[Sally PB]

It sounds like you have a lot of clay in your soil. I have soil that does the same thing in one of my gardens.

One of the best materials for a chicken run (often called the "gold standard") is wood chips, like what you'd get from tree trimmers who chip up what they cut. (NOT like the wood chip mulch you can buy by the bag at garden supply stores; that's often dyed or chemically treated.)

See if you can find someone in your area who is getting trees taken down or trimmed. There are places online where you can look up sources for chips. The arborists don't want to have to pay to dump the chips in the landfill, so often you can get them for free.

A 3-4" layer of chips in your run will have your chickens scratching it up, happily. Some leaves and other garden debris will work too. It might be a few weeks before you can get some, but keep it in mind.

 

[Krugerrand]

My municipality has a drop off site for tree limbs/branches. They get chipped up and the chip-mulch is free for the taking.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Wood chips, not sand. Sand can wind up being concrete, at least that's the case in my area. If your run is really small loosen the hard pan soil, rake in some wood chips and then put another layer of wood chips on top. It'll drain better than just dumping on top.

 

[WingsysRoost]

I have a lot of clay in my soil and the dirt in my run was pretty hard due to that. I put a layer of nice soil mixed with wood chips over top for my chickens to scratch in and they really enjoy it. I prefer not to use sand, personally, as I find that it can get really dusty and dry or otherwise have issues.

 

[3KillerBs]

Do you have litter in your run? If so, what sort?

If not, adding plenty of organic matter will almost certainly improve the quality of the ground.

 

[jinpark8282]

This is my run. I will try the wood chips and dirt. The ground is very compact. You can see the difference.....

Run present:

Run Previously:

 

[3KillerBs]

This is my run. I will try the wood chips and dirt. The ground is very compact. You can see the difference.....

Run present:

Run Previously:

You'll be amazed at the difference plenty of organic material makes.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I put straw in mine turned to brick hard! Go with the wood chips that will help. I also put in leaves in fall.

 

[jinpark8282]

there was like an 2 inch layer of poo and dirt.
Removed it and there is dirt below that. Back to normal.