Gravel Base in Run?

[aart]

A clear roof can create a greenhouse effect that can get pretty uncomfortable even as far north as you are

Can be good in the winter tho, can throw a tarp over it in the summer.

 

[RoosterML]

Can be good in the winter tho, can throw a tarp over it in the summer.

Hey @aart how ya been? Holding up good during these lovely times?

 

[SlatyGapSis]

I’m a little confused, are we talking about a coop or a run? I’ve never heard of deep litter in a run. (Granted, I've only had chickens for a year so obviously not an expert.) In a run, would gravel work if you have good drainage? I find slimey, poopy mud pretty gross and assume it can’t be good for the chickens either. We intend to put down a shallow layer of pea sized creek gravel in our new run. We’ve tried untreated mulch from the city but the chickens just scratch it all into a low corner (no such thing as flat land on the side of a mountain) and we’re left with mud again anytime it rains. I am planning to get a fine tine pitchfork and clear whatever I can every couple of days.
Does the size of run come into play? Or even the number of chickens?
If I need to rethink the gravel, I need to do it soon. Any suggestions for other materials?

 

[aart]

I’m a little confused, are we talking about a coop or a run?

A run...did you read the whole thread?

 

[SlatyGapSis]

Yes, I read the entire thread. I thought it was about a run initially but then there was talk of pine shavings and deep litter. I have just never heard of deep litter and pine shavings used in a run, only in a coop. This was the cause of my confusion. Is this a standard practice? I’m just curious if it’s something I should be considering for my run since I’m reading that gravel is a questionable material.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I do love my sand! We have washed, natural, coarse grain river sand in our coop, run, nest boxes, and on the poop decks. The girls dustbathe whenever they want, eat the sand for grit, and the poop is easily scooped. Takes me ten minutes to clean up after eight hens, twice a day. My run is mostly under roof, so there’s only a small area where the sand gets hot, but I throw an opaque tarp over the 2” x 4” fencing “roof” and it keeps it remarkably cool. Plus, on these scorching hot days, I can wet the sand and throw down a handful of chicken chow and they girls get to cool their feet while they scratch around. For my environment, I wouldn’t have anything else!

 

[aart]

Yes, I read the entire thread. I thought it was about a run initially but then there was talk of pine shavings and deep litter. I have just never heard of deep litter and pine shavings used in a run, only in a coop. This was the cause of my confusion. Is this a standard practice? I’m just curious if it’s something I should be considering for my run since I’m reading that gravel is a questionable material.

Ah, yes, the discussions do tend to wander.
Definitely can do deep litter in a run.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have just never heard of deep litter and pine shavings used in a run, only in a coop. This was the cause of my confusion. Is this a standard practice?

Deep litter is extremely popular in runs. Low maintenance, good drainage, eliminates mud and odors. If your run is quite sloped I could see "wandering" litter being an issue.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m a little confused, are we talking about a coop or a run? I’ve never heard of deep litter in a run.

Yes, a run.

It's difficult to do Deep Litter inside a coop because the cold composting process that digests the poop requires moisture (not sogginess but moisture), and does best with ground contact.

In the coop I use Deep Bedding -- which stays perfectly dry to absorb poop but does not compost it.

 

[SlatyGapSis]

Yes, a run.

It's difficult to do Deep Litter inside a coop because the cold composting process that digests the poop requires moisture (not sogginess but moisture), and does best with ground contact.

In the coop I use Deep Bedding -- which stays perfectly dry to absorb poop but does not compost it.

Could you please help me understand the differences between deep bedding and deep litter? I tried googling it but only came up with “deep litter” inside coops. I’d love to understand what makes them different!