Do the barn and the covered run roof have gutters?The run is adjacent to a very large (decrepit but large) barn, and the covered part of the run (roughly 1/2 the barn in length) both dump the rain into that part of the run. We got over 5" of rain, and the part near the gate can't get too deep or we can't open the gate. I have used wood chips for a couple of years now, and do essentially deep litter method in the run. The wood chips on that part of the run was the end of the 'old pile', so were already partially decomposed. The 'fresh' wood chips I just added when I cleaned out some of the 'muck' was from the new load we got last summer, and so other than the fact that we are nearing the bottom of the pile...these are still quite fine. Each spring/summer I clean out roughly 80% of it and add new chips, and, to keep it 'fresh' I put shavings (and leaves in season) on top. This area I do have to skim off some and replenish so I can still open the gate - so it can never get very deep there. However, it was a sopping mess with so much rain - it usually isn't that bad...and is fine within a day, but with triple the area's water being dumped onto it...so, over 5" X3, it needed to be mucked out...and that is the area under the pine, so it doesn't get good sun to help dry it out. Eventually, I want to put up gutters and use rain barrels...but with the eaves 30+ feet up, and other things on the list ahead of that...well, you get the picture.
I didn't design the run/gate, I used what was here and built structures in side of it - AFTER having to dig out vinca from nearly 2/3 of the space (it is all over our property!), and put the coop we brought inside * build the 'safe run' inside that with the transported coop.
When I extend the run and build my 8' fencing panels, I will also deal with the 'can't have much bedding by the gate' issue - but for now that area was just a sopping mess and I didn't want the chickens to be foot deep in muck (I know, not that deep for a chicken foot to sink into muck - but too deep to leave!)
Despite the area that I needed to clean out and replace bedding/chips on not being that terribly large (and, mind you, most of it the litter isn't so deep), it took 8 wheelbarrows full! That said, it is now done, the chickens are happy, but the ducks less so. They were enjoying 'drilling' in the soft muddy bedding with their beaks - which of course, makes everything muckier because they churn it up. Great for composting - but boy do they make a mess.
Okay, TMI tax:
My broody girl
View attachment 3481883View attachment 3481884
So, I know a tax payment requires multiple chickens, but I couldn't resist sharing her photo - even though it doesn't do her justice.
View attachment 3481885
The official tax payment photo: Everyone squawking for me to let them out.
They don't care if mommy saw a fox nearby - they just want OUT! (the fox was in the neighbor's yard where they couldn't see it...but it has already gotten 3 of their fence jumping sisters, I don't want to lose anymore!)
Best decision I made was installing gutters on the Chicken Palace. It means I control much (not all) of the water flow.
