Oh did I awake to such a mess. I had to leave their coop door open last night because it was so hot. Their coop and run are attached and their is wire underneath the ground. They were safe, but I awoke to a very muddy run and chickens just sitting in it. what didn't they go back in their nice dry coop. Well anyway, I ended up using a whole bale bag of pine shavings and sprinkied some DE on it. They are good now. In the long run what can i do for them when it is raining? The ground seems level, but should I move it and add more dirt to the run? Maybe it really isn't as level as I thought? This is the only fisable area for our coop a lot of our land has mature trees with bumpy roots. Pics of my coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=358727&p=1
See the 'fixing a muddy run' link in my .sig below (so I don't have to type it all out again here <g>) Best thing is to attack the problem in as many ways as possible, simultaneously. Good luck, have fun, Pat
I'd put down gravel and then sand on top. I have 3" of pea gravel with 3" of sand and it is great. In the long run the ideal situation is to have at least part of the run covered. This is the ideal situation, but not always practical for everyone, especially if the run is big or if you have to deal with the weight of snow. Mine is covered with recycled corrugated metal roofing.
Thanks for the fixing a muddy run page. For the other posters I am really not into the whole sand or gravel thing. But thanks for your suggestions. For now I have first aided the situation with the shavings. They are really liking it. It is suppose to be very sunny on Sunday and Monday. Sunday I will rake out all the shavings and on Monday my husband and I will make a drainage ditch. Maybe we can even get some gutters. Thanks
