Choosing Floor For Run...

[gltrap54]

I've done the search and saw the options but I'm actually extending my current run... Current run has always been plain ol' dirt (for 15 years) & it's always a muddy mess when it's raining... My question .... What are your thoughts on pea gravel? I don't want to create an even bigger mess by having to replace the gravel yearly.. Or sand?

 

[DobieLover]

I've done the search and saw the options but I'm actually extending my current run... Current run has always been plain ol' dirt (for 15 years) & it's always a muddy mess when it's raining... My question .... What are your thoughts on pea gravel? I don't want to create an even bigger mess by having to replace the gravel yearly.. Or sand?

Where are you located?
I use a thick layer of wood chips in my run. I get it by the truck load for free from local municipalities that collect curbside branches every spring then run them through chippers or shredders and leave out huge piles for residents to take.

 

[neo71665]

Mine is dirt. If it starts getting muddy I throw down rice hulls I get free from a buddy that has 3 tyson chicken houses.

 

[OlympicChick]

I just took a look at your coop:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2k-coop-run-complete.350357/

and I think that if you added plenty of wood chips, you would be fine. I personally don't like any kind of rock, just because if you end up moving the coop, and want to repurpose the area, you're stuck with constantly digging out rocks. That's just me though. We have moved a lot and whenever we moved into a place that people had put down rock/gravel it is always a pain.

 

[gltrap54]

Where are you located?
I use a thick layer of wood chips in my run. I get it by the truck load for free from local municipalities that collect curbside branches every spring then run them through chippers or shredders and leave out huge piles for residents to take.

Located in NE Kansas... I use pine shavings on my dropping board so it wouldn't much trouble to throw some down in the muddiest times..

 

[3KillerBs]

We have moved a lot and whenever we moved into a place that people had put down rock/gravel it is always a pain.

I'm not a very experienced chickenkeeper, but I have to agree with this point. The previous owner of the property put down a vast sea of gravel and it's almost impossible to get rid of even by renting a bobcat.

I'd think that gravel in a chicken run would hurt the chicken's feet and be impossible to ever clean decently since the organic material would filter into it.

I'm on well-drained sand, but if I had a standing water issue I'd be inclined to invest in French drain rather than gravel.