Getting the new setup going.

[BoCRon]

I had 2 great coops and runs at my old house.
Coop for the full size flock.

Bantam coop.

We have since moved to the mountains. We don’t have the time to build from scratch so I bought the Snaplock coop from Tractor Supply. I really like it and will update as we use it for awhile.
Anyway, we are ready to move the coop outside into a fenced 10x20 run. Currently, the ground out there is hard packed Georgia red clay. Not terribly inviting. What would you put on the ground for the girls? I can get hay or pine shavings or maybe mulch. Back when I set up those other runs I seem to remember being told not to do either hay or straw for some reason. But I was also told not to feed seafood, but see that dried shrimp is now sold specifically for poultry, so my knowledge is obviously outdated!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Either shavings or mulch should be fine. Not sure what will work best with the clay so might take some trial and error. Hopefully someone more familiar with your soil type can offer their advice.

 

[aart]

Wood chippings and/or pine straw.
Is the drainage good in the area?

 

[BoCRon]

As the property is in the mountains, everything is on a slope. So drainage seems to be pretty decent.
Never thought of pine straw, probably a good option considering the availability.

 

[aart]

As the property is in the mountains, everything is on a slope. So drainage seems to be pretty decent.

Too much slope can be a problem also.
Erosion and/or bedding moving downhill due to birds scratching and/or heavy rain.
Some folks use one or more retaining walls to slow the flow.

 

[BoCRon]

We put the pen on a natural ledge of sorts. So there is slope but not much compared to the rest of the lot.

 

[aart]

We put the pen on a natural ledge of sorts. So there is slope but not much compared to the rest of the lot.

That's good...just watch run off from above ledge.