chicken run flooring ?

[colinquinton]

hi im new to all this and have decided to build a 12 foot by 8 foot run on the end of a metal shed 8x8 foot with a coop inside . i thought the shed would shelter and protect and the run for freedom. the trouble is i have a muddy backyard ( english weather) i do have some large bark on the ground at the monent can i use this or is it best to leave them on bare ground and just add wood shavings to stop it getting muddy. i am going to put a roof on but the trouble is my garden leads onto a 10 acre field and gets windy and rain from all directions. can anyone help me with some advice please.

 

[TcherDawn]

Our yard was muddy too, but I wanted to try my 5 chooks on grass. I had a 10 x 20 run and thought that would be big enough. They cleared it of grass in under a week. Now I have several inches of gravel. The gravel drains well and stays dry on top. I wish I could have kept the grass, but I now give them grass clippings instead. They dig big holes in the gravel to get to the dirt and dust bathe. Very funny girls.

 

[teach1rusl]

Many folks use fine gravel for a base and drainage, and the lay a few inches of sand on top of that...

 

[chickenshagg]

I put down pea gravel in my run I also put a bit of sand down. Not enough to cover the gravel but just to help with any mud issues. I also have been putting straw down when it snows. I just throw some clumps of straw on top of the snow so the girls don't have to stand in the snow. I think the straw also helps with any extra mud as the chicks will dig and scratch the gravel to the side.

 

[dorkinggirl]

Sawdust.