Chicken Run Flooring

[Msightler4]

My chickens have a set run because I live in a residential area. I have the bottom lined with hardware cloth and I have been putting grass clippings of the top so that the wire doesn’t hurt there feet. Well the grass seems to break down to fast for me to keep up with and I’m not sure what else I should use as I’ve heard some horror stories about sand and wood chips. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes. Remove the hardware cloth, apron it around the perimeter instead.

Grass clippings alone (especially fresh) are not the most suitable litter as it is due to the fact that it mats easily and isn't absorbent.

 

[aart]

I’ve heard some horror stories about ...... wood chips.

What horror stories?

Coarse wood chippings from a tree trimmer are the best run bedding IMO. I've used them for 10+ years not with no horrors.
But I have plenty of space to store the large pile delivered and am careful not to pile 'wet' chips in the run.

 

[Msightler4]

What horror stories?

Coarse wood chippings from a tree trimmer are the best run bedding IMO. I've used them for 10+ years not with no horrors.
But I have plenty of space to store the large pile delivered and am careful not to pile 'wet' chips in the run.

I’ve just heard that some types of wood can put chickens into toxic shock. You know how the internet goes though, never know what’s true or not. Do you reach out to local tree service companies?

 

[aart]

I’ve just heard that some types of wood can put chickens into toxic shock.

'Wet' chips freshly chipped along with green leaves can create a large and thus toxic bloom of naturally existing fungii.
Why it's best to let pile age a bit then scrape the outer layer off the pile and spread it thinly in the run to dry out the scenario.

 

[aart]

Do you reach out to local tree service companies?

That's one way. Some municipalities have stuff like this available.
Mine let tree trimmers dump in their yard waste field, then I got them to bring it to me because it was too much for them.
It's a BIG pile, you need space to dump it where it can sit long term while you use it a bit at a time.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I have a washed construction sand run, it is a breeze to keep clean. In one corner I have wood chips for the chooks to scritch scratch around. Not sure why you’d hear a horror story about sand. I scoop the poopies with a long handled scoop and pop it in a bucket I dump into my compost. I have sand in the coop as well. Mixed with some PDZ stall refresher my coop & run stay super clean. Love it.

 

[aart]

I have a washed construction sand run, it is a breeze to keep clean.

How long have you been using sand?
Do you live in a dry and arid climate?

Not sure why you’d hear a horror story about sand.

I've read a ton of them, and have had one of my own.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I live in a northern climate. Lots of snow and rain. My run is covered.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I’ve used Sand since 2021, I was so over pine shavings. I’m not a deep litter person. I don’t like poop. lol. Just for my compost.