Flooring for the run?

[desertgirl]

Do you put straw down in the run? Or does the constant scratching help keep the poo "worked in" to the dirt?

 

[raisingchickens]

Or does the constant scratching help keep the poo "worked in" to the dirt?

If it were only that simple - it will become an icky, stinky mess.

How big is your run? You can either move the run (or section off different areas) to give the fouled parts time to grow back, or you can create a deep litter run with gravel or bark chips. With deep litter runs, you will need to replace the gravel and bark chips about once a year.​

 

[desertgirl]

We built two runs, and plan to alternate them to give one a chance to recover. Each run is roughly 6X12. So I should cover the run in wood chips or gravel? It will be a while before they produce significant amounts (2 two week olds, 2 silkies, 3 one day olds arriving next week), so I have time to do it right. What do you suggest?

 

[SimplyForties]

I'm planning on the deep litter method once the original grass is all stripped away.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'd suggest sand over gravel. The gravel will help keep the sand from disappearing. The sand is fairly easy to rake out and will drain well if you get rain. Throw some scratch on it and they will keep it pretty well stirred up. I'd think sand may be easy to come by in your area.

If you put organic material in a run, it will tend to rot and make the run muddy and messy. In damp climates it can become moldy. You can compost the organic material but you have to add a lot of nitrogen to it to get it to compost. The chicken manure by itself is not sufficient.

I'd think you don't get a lot of rain so your situation is a little different than most, but I think sand could work out well for you.

 

[desertgirl]

Thanks Ridgerunner-that was great advice.

You are right-we don't get much rain (mold definitely not a problem), and sand is very easy to come by. Their run is basically sand and dirt now-next week we can make a trip out to the mesa and get some more.

Thanks!!!