Cleaning run

[CEO]

I have sand in my run but I can’t access parts of it. What should I do to keep it clean, do I even have to clean it?

 

[3KillerBs]

Lots of rain where I am so it’s moist most of the time. I want something that doesn’t need to be cleaned but good for them.

If you want something that doesn't require frequent cleaning and live in a rainy area -- especially if your run isn't roofed -- then Deep Litter is probably a better choice for you than sand.

Chunky wood chips of the sort you get from a tree trimming service are often considered the gold standard for this purpose because they stay well-aerated, can absorb a lot of water, and take a long time to break down.

My run is mostly pine straw because I'm in the US southeast and have Longleaf and Loblolly pines on my property so this material is free for the raking. In addition to being free, I like the fact that pine straw resists packing/matting and that the top layer dries out quickly after even the heaviest rain.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately, part of the problem with those tiny, pre-fab coops is that the coop portion is not large enough to do a good layer of Deep Bedding (did you read the article?), and the run is too small to allow the Deep Litter to develop a good balance.

With that coop you will need to be cleaning more than you probably want to. But using Deep Bedding and Deep Litter to the extent possible will reduce the frequency of cleaning.

x2. Is this the entire set up or do you have a bigger run outside of this?

Deep litter does require a certain amount of volume to work "hands off" and a small coop/run like this can't possibly hold that amount of litter (you'd have to fill it to the ceiling). So when you see people touting that their deep litter takes care of itself, or that they only clean the coop twice a year, that's because they have enough volume of litter to be able to absorb the poop that lands in it.

 

[aart]

but I can’t access parts of it.

You should really be able to access every part of the coop and run.
Got pics of your run?

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).
There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 7 years.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I saw what they did but don’t have the time sadly. If deep litter doesn’t work then is there another option. Thanks so much for helping me

Given where you live and the snow y'all get it's time to make time so you're not scrambling in snow trying to fix it.

 

[3KillerBs]

Where are you located?

I don't use sand myself, preferring Deep Bedding in my coop and Deep Litter in my run, but I've noticed that the vast majority of people who are happy with sand in their run over the long term live in dry climates or are otherwise able to keep their coop/run absolutely dry.

My understanding is that sand as bedding/litter MUST be scooped regularly -- with the definition of "regularly" varying from multiple times per day to several times a week.

 

[Brooks_]

I think sand will only work in very dry climates or a wet climate with very sandy soil as a start. Overall, I'm in the deep litter camp.

 

[3KillerBs]

Like mulch?

Some people use mulch, but it has to be the plain, undyed kind.

Where, in general, are you located? Some materials are found only locally -- like my pine straw -- and we can give better advice if we know what your climate and local resources are.

 

[3KillerBs]

So keep the sand?

It doesn't matter what manure management system you choose, a very small coop/run will take a lot of maintenance.

Since there is no one system that suits every person you can go ahead and try the sand. If you don't like it, you can replace it with wood chips and see how you like those.

 

[CEO]

Thanks everyone for helping me