ground cover for a winter run

[ajlynco]

I have 12 chicks and winter's comin'. I'd like to cover the ground in my run with something to keep it from becoming a mudhole. I'm thinking sand, gravel, DG. Any ideas? I can keep a good portion of the rain/snow out but it's inevitably gonna make it's way in there.

 

[SteveBaz]

I throw down before winter the sleeper and coop shavings in the run and spread it. Spring comes snow melts and it is there.

 

[claudicles]

Where are you? The severity of your winter may effect the advice people give.

 

[ajlynco]

I'm in Reno,NV. and my concern is the run, not the coop. I plan on wrapping the run in plastic on 3 sides to break the wind and the roof will keep the rain/snow out. I just don't want the girls to be walking around in mud. So, gravel, hay, sand, pine chips?? What works for you BYCers with experience with this?

 

[aoxa]

I put down leaves from my trees. The girls love it, it's free, and it's better than the mud. Just my opinion

 

[weeders n feeders]

Since I have a yard full of trees and therefore more leaves than I can compost run gets filled with leaves. And I mean filled. To me leaves are the mulch for flower beds, compost, run material, nest box material, insulation around cold sensitive plants, etc. yea it's a lot of trees but would not dream of giving up any in the summer.

 

[jmlorton]

i use the hay from inside the coop and leaves its keeps the ground fairly dry and the mud away

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Any of the above are better than mud. In winter chickens miss having a dust bath and will usually do it in the shavings in the coop.
I build most coops on legs to give them a cool place in summer and dry dust bathing area in winter under the coop.
Shavings and straw in the run need to be replenished from time to time. Sand is good as it can be sifted and doubles for dustbaths. Lots of people say gravel but I think it would be hard to get the poo out of. At least the straw/leaves/shavings can be pulled out and composted occasionally.

 

[debid]

I'm using leaves and it's shocking how fast they shred them with their scratching. I just put a big pile in as needed and they have a fun time spreading them around for me. Works great for mud control and you can't beat free! If you don't have enough leaves, you can ask on Freecycle and probably get more than a couple of people who wouldn't mind you coming over for a rake & take of their leaves and/or pine needles.