Gravel run floor

[SportTees]

I have saw on here were allot of people have problems with muddy runs and drainage problems + smells. My solution came by accident- I started my chickens out in my old gravel dog runs. I have not had any problems with drainage or smell. The past two years I have been puting hay on top of the gravel so it would be softer on there feet. Plus with this method you get free grit. I'm starting to think the hay was a bad idea because I'm starting to have a problem with smell. I'm thinking about just puting another layer of gravel down on top and forgeting about the hay. My chickens free range most of the time so I don't foresee any problems. My question is does anyone use just gravel in there runs?

 

[fordmommy]

I have gravel on the outer limits of the run. And play sand in the rest. I started to put hay down, too. Hated it. It seemed to make things worse. Now I just let the sand do the work!

 

[SportTees]

Quote:
I didn't think of sand- wow. One worry I would have is Does it work like cat litter and clump up?

 

[Big Chicken Little]

Sand is great and does not clump ..cat litter has a clay base that is why it clumps.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Definitely, sand on top of the gravel, if it gets too dirty you can either rake it or just hose it down. Hay is bad, it can get moldy and make the chickens sick.

 

[SportTees]

Quote:
Don't tell me that

I should have known that. A new load of gravel and sand are coming this week! Thanks