Floor of the run

[Leov]

Hey folks,
Curious. What people are putting down in the run. I’ve read about mulched leaves, jay, sand and leaving it empty. So it’s just dirt and grass ( which is what it is at the present) any ideas and why would be so helpful. Thank you.

 

[Pcmandooo]

Simple and cheap is what I go for. I bring in about three wheel barrows of pine duff, or dirt or wood shaving from when I'm cutting firewood and dump them in a pile in the run. The chickens LOVE to scratch it down and peck through the bugs. After a few days when it's soiled I scrape it all up with a flat shovel throw it in a big compost pile and repeat. I couldnt imaging paying for bedding.

 

[DobieLover]

I don't clean out the run.
I use a thick layer of free wood chips that I get from a local Town Highway Department.

I rake out about 4 to 6" in the run. The chickens dig around in it & dust bathe in it.
It's a little thin now and I'm going to add more soon. Too many other projects going on right now.

 

[Leov]

thank you so much!!!

 

[Leov]

I don't clean out the run.
I use a thick layer of free wood chips that I get from a local Town Highway Department.
View attachment 2155469
I rake out about 4 to 6" in the run. The chickens dig around in it & dust bathe in it.
It's a little thin now and I'm going to add more soon. Too many other projects going on right now.
View attachment 2155473

Awesome run. Thanks for the advice

 

[Leov]

I don't clean out the run.
I use a thick layer of free wood chips that I get from a local Town Highway Department.
View attachment 2155469
I rake out about 4 to 6" in the run. The chickens dig around in it & dust bathe in it.
It's a little thin now and I'm going to add more soon. Too many other projects going on right now.
View attachment 2155473

What are your thoughts on mulch?

 

[DobieLover]

What are your thoughts on mulch?

It's basically the same thing but costs money. All the Towns in the area I live in collect branches in the spring and chip or shred them and offer them to the tax payers for free. In the fall they collect bagged leaves and compost them and offer them for free too.

 

[Leov]

It's basically the same thing but costs money. All the Towns in the area I live in collect branches in the spring and chip or shred them and offer them to the tax payers for free. In the fall they collect bagged leaves and compost them and offer them for free too.

Yea, i just Called the town. Its not to expensive. 5.00 for a yard. For now I’ll start with that. Thank you again!

 

[3KillerBs]

You can throw any kind of yard waste into the run -- leaves, pine straw, dried grass clippings, weeds, etc.

On the in-town property I did have to buy shavings since I didn't have enough, but that shouldn't be a problem on the country property -- especially since we have the truckload of wood chips left from having had some trees taken out (WHY do people plant trees that are going to be 60-80 feet tall only 10 feet apart and 10-feet from structures?).

 

[aart]

especially since we have the truckload of wood chips left from having had some trees taken out

This is the ultimate, having a place to store a big pile delivered.
Then you can add a bit a time to your run, which is the safest.