Concrete run

[JackHammer]

We put our coop in the corner of an old foundation that was in our side yard. it's been there about 50-60 years without being used. We will use about half of the 13x30 footprint (6x4 coop, 12x13 run). The foundation has walls about 1' high and the pad itself is ground level. It was the best spot in the yard that would be less visible to immediate neighbors and I also liked the idea of it would be easier to fortify. If it likes to eat chickens, it lives in our neighborhood. Due to age and the fact is was it was my location to burn the concrete has cracks so it does drain but not as well as dirt would. My main concern is smell. My neighbors are 75-100 feet away and it can't get too bad. I intend to add dirt, straw, grass clippings and the like. Should I break out the concrete in the center and fill with gravel for drainage in say a 6' x 2' area. I'm open to any and all suggestions that would be good for the chickens and minimize smell. We have 6 growing chicks.
Thanks

 

[teach1rusl]

I'd leave the concrete, but maybe box in the base of the run with 2x6s - fill about halfway with coarse sand (can get for about $20-25 per ton in my area). This will allow them to scratch around in something, and it's pretty easy to keep clean - can scoop/rake like a litter box weekly. Mix DE in periodically as a drying agent. At least you won't deal with mud!!

 

[Folly's place]

It's great to have such a good base for your coop and run; dig-proof is wonderful! My coop and run are also on an old foundation, with broken/ cracked concrete, and I use deep bedding on top. Shavings, chips, some hay, whatever, and it's fine. Mary

 

[Kim Z]

I'd leave the concrete, but maybe box in the base of the run with 2x6s - fill about halfway with coarse sand (can get for about $20-25 per ton in my area).   This will allow them to scratch around in something, and it's pretty easy to keep clean - can scoop/rake like a litter box weekly.  Mix DE in periodically as a drying agent. At least you won't deal with mud!!

In second this. I have been using sand in both the coop and run for a few months now and the chickens and I both love it. I use a sifting shovel to clean it out and the birds feet stay so nice and clean!