Floor of outdoor chicken run

[MarylandChick]

Wow you guys have some great ideas. I cannot believe I didn't think of sand. I guess now I'm debating between sand and wood chips.

 

[herbandteas]

I think some where I read that it is good to have sand the 1st layer then add pine shavings on top of that. That way they have some thing to dig and scratch around.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Woodchips compost (eventually, given enough poo and time).

OTOH, woodchips also float. This is something to consider if the site is prone to flood. My parents spend several days each year raking the woodchip mulch from the rosebeds off of the entire back lawn, where heavy rainstorms deposit it after floating it off. You really want to avoid this if you can

Have fun,

Pat

 

[dixygirl]

Quote:
I second that! When I had my peacocks on a cement floor with shavings the poop stunk to high heaven. It could knock you out. It didn't matter whether I used newspaper on the cement, or pine bedding.... It stunk! Also, it was such hard work keeping up with it to keep it clean. Since they have been on a gritty sand blend it does just seem to disappear. It is amazing. Bear in mind, there is a roof and it is not straight sand. It has grit like pelleted limestone or something in there too. And yes don't forget to top dress your sand with hydrated lime and or DE occasionally. Maintenance free.

PS I really recommend against wood chips. It will get wet and soggy, hold odor and be a mess just like pine bedding. Both also need to be replaced, but sand does not. They could work better inside the coop instead of outside in the run where rain can get in.

Look at it this way, would you rather lay in a compost bin or in a sand box? Bear in mind the compost bin is rotting wet and smelly. Sand is great for draining out moisture just like gravel.

PSS Sorry also had to add that moisture should have an escape route. So its not good to make a container like floor with no drainage. I like a slight slope or a berm so the moisture will flow out with gravity.

 

[seminolewind]

Dixiegirl, you're reasoning really cracks me up!!! (re laying in a compost pile)

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I second that! When I had my peacocks on a cement floor with shavings the poop stunk to high heaven. It could knock you out. It didn't matter whether I used newspaper on the cement, or pine bedding.... It stunk! Also, it was such hard work keeping up with it to keep it clean. Since they have been on a gritty sand blend it does just seem to disappear. It is amazing. Bear in mind, there is a roof and it is not straight sand. It has grit like pelleted limestone or something in there too. And yes don't forget to top dress your sand with hydrated lime and or DE occasionally. Maintenance free.

Dixygirl, how deep is your sand bed? Thanks, this seems like what I want to use. I'm making my new run now.

 

[Davaroo]

Here's what Charles Weeks had to say about sand:

"Small flocks in open front pens with clean, sharp sand on the floor will give the best quarters possible in which to keep hens free from diseases.
Clean, dry sand prevents any bacteria from starting. This sand should be renewed at least once each year and twice is better. It is cheaper and cleaner than straw."

He also didnt think having a "run" (in the classic sense) was worth the effort or money, and reared exclusively without them.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yeah, sure, but he was trying to run a business. The worth of effort or money becomes much much greater when you need to turn a profit. For instance I notice from a quote in another post of yours that Mr Weeks was running 'em at a density of just slightly above 3 sq ft per hen, and that is TOTAL space. Sand floor or no sand floor, I just don't see doing that unless you HAVE to

It seems to me that one of the greatest advantages of having chickens just for FUN is that you can justify giving them nicer living quarters than cost-benefit calculations would dictate. They do seem to really enjoy sunbathing, letting the breeze ruffle their feathers, catching bugs that fly by, watching things that go on in the world, etc. Just an open front on the coop isn't the same. Also please note that many people have their entire runs (if small) or portions thereof (if larger) roofed. If it makes you feel more Charlesweeksian, Elderoo, you might think of this sort of thing as a funny-shaped open front to the coop, k?

Pat

 

[dixygirl]

Quote:
I second that! When I had my peacocks on a cement floor with shavings the poop stunk to high heaven. It could knock you out. It didn't matter whether I used newspaper on the cement, or pine bedding.... It stunk! Also, it was such hard work keeping up with it to keep it clean. Since they have been on a gritty sand blend it does just seem to disappear. It is amazing. Bear in mind, there is a roof and it is not straight sand. It has grit like pelleted limestone or something in there too. And yes don't forget to top dress your sand with hydrated lime and or DE occasionally. Maintenance free.

Dixygirl, how deep is your sand bed? Thanks, this seems like what I want to use. I'm making my new run now.

Mine is not that deep at all right now. About 1 inch over top of gravel and earth. It is probably time for me to top it off with some more now that you mention it. If there is a crushed stone / aggregate yard or stone quary in your town you can get a truck load for around$30. The delivery fee is the most expensive part. Best if you have your own pick up truck just go get it yourself.

I got a ton and a half of peagravel for a horse run to control mud. When we drove in the stone yard to a drive in window they weighed our pick up truck. Then we drove to the pile of product we wanted and the tractor filled up the back of the pickup. Then we went by the drive up scale / clerk window again. They weighed the truck again and charged us $25.00. Worked for me

They have gravel, sand, recycled asphalt and all sorts of things there. In yellow pages or www.411.com under aggregate or crushed stone


If I were making a new run, I would get a 1/2 a pickup full of gravel first and spread it down in the area but let the edges taper so it is a slightly sloping berm. Putting some gravel outside the fencing also helps protect from digging predators. Then I would go back and get a load of coarse sand and top it off. Finish up by sprinkling on the hydrated lime powder to keep it dry and odor free.

PS For my ducks I want to do this also but add some round river rocks, plant a few tall grass plants like pampas or miscanthus, and sink their kiddie pool in the ground.

This lovely xeriscape pond would be my ideal for a duck habitat.

 

[Wraith]

http://hermes.netobjects.com/matrix/servlet/ShowAsset?id=5847253

This lovely xeriscape pond would be my ideal for a duck habitat.
Looks great, now just imagine it covered in duck poo. I've always wanted some indian runners, myself. As far as runs, I suppose 5 hens will tear the 800 sq ft of grass up and I'll have to put down sand or something. Elderoo, am I correct in surmising from what I've read that sand in a coop is better than pine bedding?