Dealing with things when the grass is all gone??

[dulcimer lady]

Our coop and run are pretty much permanent fixures in a permanent spot. Not like a tractor that can be moved from spot to spot. My flock has been in their area for about three weeks now and just as I expected for that time frame, the grass is all but gone in the area. This morning I sprinkled DE in the run and some in the coop. I didn't know what amount to use, so I just basically gave everything a good sprinkle. You could see the white of the DE, but you could still see the ground below it as well. I think I need to put some more in the coop.

There isn't a bad smell, as a matter of fact, the inside of my coop has a nice sweet smell from the pine bedding. But today for the first time I did notice an increase in insect activity. I found some spots where I will be able to hang some fly strips (in spots where I don't think they will be glaringly obvious) where we won't get tangled in them and neither will the chickens.

But now that there is much more dirt than grass - and since over time even that small amount of grass will be gone - is there anything else I can do to keep the ground of the run safe, neat, and sanitary for my flock?

 

[teach1rusl]

Many folks bring in sand for thier runs (a few inches). It makes it simple to keep clean...to rake out droppings.

 

[dulcimer lady]

I had not thought of that. It would be almost like cleaning out a litter box.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

My run is plain ol' North Carolina red clay dirt. It had grass for about 2 weeks when we first built the run but not since.

When it comes to using DE, I just fling it. Whatever is in the area is gonna get a dusting be it roosts, nestboxes, chickens, even the dog! There is usually a pretty good bit. I use the deep litter method so after fling the DE, I fling a bit of scratch. The girls do the "fluffing" for me.