Dirt Run?

[SarahBC]

New here, and a few questions...
Our run is covered but the floor is just dirt. Do they still need grit or can they just scratch the dirt and eat little pebbles?
Also, in the winter do I need to put anything down in the run(straw, leaves, etc?) to insulate and keep their feet warm?

 

[PirateGirl]

If you have lots of assorted size rocks in your soil, they probably don't need much grit. I think I've been working on a small 5 pound bag of grit with 10 birds for over a year now, they generally find what they need on the ground, but it doesn't hurt to give them some once in awhile.

In winter you don't NEED to put down anything on the ground, but they sure do seem to like it when you do. Straw is fun and interesting to scratch through. If there's snow on the ground and I put a little straw out they will walk right out on it and start doing normal chicken things, otherwise they hesitate to walk on the snow. My chickens have seen more than one winter, and we have had snow on the ground since October, and it's snowing today, so yes, they are used to it, and yes, they know it won't kill them, but they still don't really like it and much prefer the straw.

 

[jthornton]

I think they need the sharp edges of broken rock to grind the food up. In my chicken yard it's full of it so they don't hardly touch the grit I supply them.

I put wood chips in the run, I also have a tubby with nice dirt for dust baths.

Their feet are retractable and will disappear when cold into the fussy feet landing bay. It's so cool to watch them stand on one leg while the other one warms up.

JT

 

[SarahBC]

If you have lots of assorted size rocks in your soil, they probably don't need much grit. I think I've been working on a small 5 pound bag of grit with 10 birds for over a year now, they generally find what they need on the ground, but it doesn't hurt to give them some once in awhile.

In winter you don't NEED to put down anything on the ground, but they sure do seem to like it when you do. Straw is fun and interesting to scratch through. If there's snow on the ground and I put a little straw out they will walk right out on it and start doing normal chicken things, otherwise they hesitate to walk on the snow. My chickens have seen more than one winter, and we have had snow on the ground since October, and it's snowing today, so yes, they are used to it, and yes, they know it won't kill them, but they still don't really like it and much prefer the straw.

I have had a hard time finding grit. I found some but it had silica and I was told that was bad for their lungs?

 

[jthornton]

You should put your location in your profile, it can make a difference in an answer.

JT

 

[Alaskan]

New here, and a few questions...
Our run is covered but the floor is just dirt. Do they still need grit or can they just scratch the dirt and eat little pebbles?
Also, in the winter do I need to put anything down in the run(straw, leaves, etc?) to insulate and keep their feet warm?

When the ground freezes solid, providing grit can help them to digest their feed.

Leaves would be a great thing to toss into the run. I am not sure they would help insulate, but it would be a great boredom buster.

Insulating the floor isn't needed. Most of my coops have dirt floors.

 

[starri33]

I live in the desert of AZ so my winters are a whole lot more different than yours in Canada, but my runs are dirt, they get all the grit they need from it. Chickens do love hay/straw, gives them something to scratch around in, I would make sure come spring to rake it up and change it out to help avoid mold and mildew.. I follow a you-tube channel and the lady lives in the mountains of Tennessee so lots of snow.. she does the straw for hers during the winter.

 

[SarahBC]

When the ground freezes solid, providing grit can help them to digest their feed.

Leaves would be a great thing to toss into the run. I am not sure they would help insulate, but it would be a great boredom buster.

Insulating the floor isn't needed. Most of my coops have dirt floors.

Good point about them needing grit in the winter when the ground is frozen! Thanks!

 

[SarahBC]

I live in the desert of AZ so my winters are a whole lot more different than yours in Canada, but my runs are dirt, they get all the grit they need from it. Chickens do love hay/straw, gives them something to scratch around in, I would make sure come spring to rake it up and change it out to help avoid mold and mildew.. I follow a you-tube channel and the lady lives in the mountains of Tennessee so lots of snow.. she does the straw for hers during the winter.

Thank you! I have been reading up on boredom busters. Sounds like some great ideas out there!

 

[starri33]

Thank you! I have been reading up on boredom busters. Sounds like some great ideas out there!

I haven't done it yet, but I'm trying to figure out where I can hang cabbages and things for them to peck at..