Chicken run

[picomfy]

I am getting my chicken run ready for my chicken and found that the ground is more clay like. Is there a good alternative to help make this more comfortable for the? Is this a add DE or wood ask and mix around situation?
The run will be a covered area, just as an fyi

Thanks for the advice in advance!

 

[samanthaoverton]

DE doesn't really do anything. It's also not healthy for you or your chickens to inhale.

 

[picomfy]

DE doesn't really do anything. It's also not healthy for you or your chickens to inhale

 

[picomfy]

I was asking more as a mixture not just laying it down, but I appreciate it!

 

[samanthaoverton]

Ohhh ok...I use a mix of straw and wood shaving inside my coop..the shaving keep the straw aerated. I fluff mix it everyday.

 

[DobieLover]

I am getting my chicken run ready for my chicken and found that the ground is more clay like. Is there a good alternative to help make this more comfortable for the? Is this a add DE or wood ask and mix around situation?
The run will be a covered area, just as an fyi

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Add a 3-4" layer of wood chips.

 

[Sally PB]

Wood chips, dried leaves. If you dump in a pile of leaves, they will enjoy scratching through it and spreading them around.

After they get over their terror of The Big New Thing, of course.

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

if it's clay, you may want to set up a tub of sand for dust bathing.

 

[3KillerBs]

DE is a respiratory irritant and chickens have very delicate respiratory systems.

Any dry organic material will help, but coarse wood chips are usually considered the gold standard for the control of mud and odor.

 

[aart]

I am getting my chicken run ready for my chicken and found that the ground is more clay like

Is the run covered?
Will water be able to flow into and/or puddle in the run?

Ditto the coarse wood chippings, and other dry organic materials.