Floor of outdoor chicken run

[GallowayFarms]

ok if you can find it in your area. you can get limestone stone dust. it is bigger than sand. Alot of times it is used on playgrounds etc.

Since it is limestone it will do what hydrated lime does bc lime comes from crushed limestone.

If you can find the stone dust you won't really need anything on it. Actually come to think of it, imagine kitty litter. That is the size of the stuff. Alot of people that do paver work use this under the pavers bc it compacts so well.

I would get some of it. Contact a local landscaper and see if they wouldn't mind finding and bringing you some.

Good Luck

Nick

 

[dixygirl]

Quote:
The great thing about the river rocks and gravel is when it is covered with poop you don't replace anything.... Just hose it off. I also like how the terrain in that picture is sloping down. The rinse water would drain away.

PS The Limestone grit is perfect! Also try decomposed granite, ground oyster shells, or just the coarse sand. All are very similar aggregates. But if you are actually building a coop I would not call a landscaper for it. Just go to the aggregate yard yourself with a pick up and pick it up! Now if you are one who will buy a commercial coop I guess you would call someone out to pour it :|

 

[2Hawaiians]

We're new to chickens but learning and want to do what's right. We have a run with sand. As I watch our 6 hens they seem to hate the sand. When they throw their food around it goes into the sand and when it's covered in sand they don't seem to want to eat it. I started putting their treats in a bowl but they still throw it around and then lose interest once it's sandy. Also, it won't hurt them if they eat some of the sand?

 

[Amethyste]

Living here in the Pacific NW, I did this:

1) dirt
2) lime and de
3) SAND lots of sand
4) DE/lime
5) wood chips...medium

So far it drains great, and birdies are happy. I also dumped a bunch of their grit out there too since they are happier eating it from there /shakes head

I have grit inside too lol silly birds but it seems it tastes better out there....

EDIT: sand is grit it wont hurt them.

 

[Terri]

my run was built so the water runs off, i put straw in it so the chickens has something to scratch at before we get home, but they free range most of the day from like 3:00 till the sun goes down.

 

[2Hawaiians]

Thanks Amethyste. I was wondering about grit being sand/sand being grit. I'll stop worrying about that. Rather than going out and buying wood chips..... what about the mulch that cities usually have for free? Has anyone tried that?

 

[Amethyste]

ooo forgot to mention , in the fall when the leaves all fall form teh trees, they go into the run.

Gives birdies a) something to tear up

b) a place for yummybugs to grow under so they have something to scratch for and c) it not only clears our yard of the leaves, but as they scratch it it adds to the ground cover in the run to help with drainage.

 

[TrulyFowl]

Hi, just came across this great thread. I know about DE, but I'm confused about lime. I understand that it is a great fly deterrent, but doesn't it burn chickens' and ducks' feet? Or does that depend upon whether or not it's the hydrated lime? If you apply it to the run, do you need to wet it down before the birds can be let out?

Thanks!

 

[Amethyste]

Its the farm lime...its fine

 

[TrulyFowl]

O.K., sorry to be dense, but do I just go into a feed store (we're in the city, but we actually have one downtown), and ask for farm lime? Do I ask for hydrated lime? Just wondering what the difference is, and why I seem to rememeber that I've read somewhere that it's bad for bird feet. Thanks!