Floor covering for the run

[gazparkin]

Hi,

New owner of three ex battery hens and after some advice on floor covering. i have to keep the girls in an enclosed run during the day whilst Im at work. I'm trying to figure out what the best floor covering is (it's built over a concrete floor) that allows me to make sure all the poop is picked up at the end of the day. I've tried wood chippings but these have been hard to see the poop.
Any ideas would be really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's your climate/location? Is the run covered? Sand is an option as long as the run interior doesn't get too wet.

 

[gazparkin]

I'm in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The run is covered with some clear tarpaulin so if it rains the girls don't get wet but they still get the light/sun through. I have heard about sand as a good way of making it easier to collect all the poop and they'll dust bathe in this too. Is there a particular type of sand as I'll try this!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I don't use sand so I hope someone chimes in with what specific type of product you should look for. Keep in mind sand only works well when kept dry, otherwise it'll clump together along with the poop and can become smelly.

Personally I use deep litter with wood chips in the coop, but I don't have concrete underneath. In the case of deep litter there is no need to pick up poop (though I pick up anything large and obvious) as it will compost in the litter.