Coop remodeling, run flooring suggestions?

[2 Acres]

Asplundh is the company in Ohio that did this for us. Their headquarters are near Philly. Give them a call. The workers said it helped them as they did not need to haul the chips another 12+ miles away to dump. We received 3-4 loads and our neighbor 2-3. They should be out soon to trim.

I am familiar with that tree service.

 

[C Siena]

Okay, I was thinking if we would do sand, I would scoop out all the poop and if pea gravel I could hose off with the garden hose, but drainage would privabky be needed in both scenarios... then I also have to think about cost, we don't have too much extra to spend right now. Wood chips sound like a good option how often would they need replaced? I've never done much for their run as far as their flooring went I used to free range all the time but now that we have a dog that's not chicken friendly, they won't get to come out as much.

Are you able to train your dog? We bought a 6 mo Belgian Malinois 2 years ago and realized we Had to train her. It took a several weeks and then she left them alone.
Now, squirrels, C geese, birds, deer, she will chase but not the chickens. She has a strong prey drive. I was not going to lock the chickens in as I wanted them to free range. Just a thought.

 

[sonally]

Sand maintenance is a lot of work and I read it holds onto bacteria and gets stinky in wet conditions. And, yeah, you don't want to hose off the run and introduce any more water to it.


Wood chips need to be replenished about once every year to two (maybe longer if the run is covered). There is usually no need to shovel out the old chips since they decompose into the ground.

I’m not sure what is meant by wood chips. Where do I get them? Is it the same as the pine shaving bedding I get at tractor supply?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’m not sure what is meant by wood chips. Where do I get them? Is it the same as the pine shaving bedding I get at tractor supply?

Wood chips are ground-up wood from trimmed limbs, downed trees, etc.

If you live in a neighborhood (as opposed to a rural area), you might hear an arborist or tree service working nearby. They’re often happy to dump their wood chips on your lot for free afterwards.

 

[C Siena]

I’m not sure what is meant by wood chips. Where do I get them? Is it the same as the pine shaving bedding I get at tractor supply?

They are a bit chunkier than ground, where we are. Asplundh (tree service to states/counties) and https://support.getchipdrop.com/article/35-is-chipdrop-active-in-my-area, are a couple of places to check. Also local tree companies/arborists can be called. It's free, delivered. You will have to move it to the run but free.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

They are a bit chunkier than ground, where we are. Asplundh (tree service to states/counties) and https://support.getchipdrop.com/article/35-is-chipdrop-active-in-my-area, are a couple of places to check. Also local tree companies/arborists can be called. It's free, delivered. You will have to move it to the run but free.

I like your explanation better than mine! (chunks vs ground.) I have both in our run litter, along with pine straw (dried pine needles), which helps keep things fluffy. Also some dried leaves and grass clippings, plus of course the chicken doots.

Essentially, I’m trying to recreate a forest floor, from which comes soil.

 

[C Siena]

I like your explanation better than mine! (chunks vs ground.) I have both in our run litter, along with pine straw (dried pine needles), which helps keep things fluffy. Also some dried leaves and grass clippings, plus of course the chicken doots.

Essentially, I’m trying to recreate a forest floor, from which comes soil.

We want to add more chips but the ground as been soggy or too soft for the past few weeks! Instead of the wheelbarrow, I'm waiting for dry ground and will move a few loads with the Bobcat, for both runs and around. We're building an ark soon.
Great with all the additions: leaves, pine needles, grass etc.! Ditto

 

[Dandelion and Clover]

Chipdrop.com is another possible resource to look into.

Or if you live in an area that has lots of trees you can probably call local tree companies directly and check if they'd be willing to dump a load of chips, if you have some place to hold them.

Chipdrop.com

Omg! They are actually in my area. Already placed an order ( with donation)!

Thank you for sharing!