Ground cover for run

[maenfayne]

We've cleared space and put in the shed that will be converted to a coop. (New doors, ventilation, roosts, nesting boxes) The main doorway will open into a fenced yard - 8' x 10.'

Right now the ground is soft, covered mostly in fallen pine needles. I want to cover it so the ladies can forge a bit - obviously being supplemented. Since chickens tear grass up easily, is it even worth laying down seed and hoping it'll grow before I move them in within a month - six weeks? What would you lay down if anything at all?

 

[FishMtFarm]

I live in the woods and our dirt is soft so we put driveway stone down and then nice dry sand over that. Drains and dries quick after rain and the poo breaks down when you hose and rake the sand. Occasionally we add fresh sand to it. The photo below was from today and we have snow banks on the outside of the run. Even with the plastic the melting snow runs in but as you can see, the stone helps drain the water so the run stays dry.

 

[Jules1349]

I live in the woods and our dirt is soft so we put driveway stone down and then nice dry sand over that. Drains and dries quick after rain and the poo breaks down when you hose and rake the sand. Occasionally we add fresh sand to it. The photo below was from today and we have snow banks on the outside of the run. Even with the plastic the melting snow runs in but as you can see, the stone helps drain the water so the run stays dry.

View attachment 1730035

How deep down do you do driveway stone how many inches of stone vs sand

 

[blackdog043]

Right now the ground is soft, covered mostly in fallen pine needles. I want to cover it so the ladies can forge a bit

You have a good start, for making a deep litter run. Add some aged tree trimming wood chips or if you can't get those use untreated mulch or pine bark nuggets. To that, add yard and garden waste, short thin & thick size pieces of tree limbs, some leaves. Your chickens will have a good time scratching through it and it will not smell. The poop will naturally break down. The only work involved, is adding more stuff as it breaks down and taking some out, if you want some good compost soil.

My run after adding yard and garden waste.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

You have a good start, making a deep litter run. Add some aged tree trimming wood chips or if you can't get those use untreated mulch or pine bark nuggets. To that add yard and garden waste, short thin & thick size pieces of tree limbs, some leaves. Your chickens will have a good time scratching through it and it will not smell. The poop will naturally break down. The only work involved, is adding more stuff as it breaks down and taking some out, if you want some good compost soil.

My run after adding yard and garden waste.
View attachment 1730280

Can you use the flake pine shavings from TSC for a base? I was going to mix them with some straw for the base and then add yard waste from there. The run is covered. My first chicks will be ready to move out there in about a week.

 

[maenfayne]

You have a good start, making a deep litter run. Add some aged tree trimming wood chips or if you can't get those use untreated mulch or pine bark nuggets. To that add yard and garden waste, short thin & thick size pieces of tree limbs, some leaves. Your chickens will have a good time scratching through it and it will not smell. The poop will naturally break down. The only work involved, is adding more stuff as it breaks down and taking some out, if you want some good compost soil.

My run after adding yard and garden waste.
View attachment 1730280

I'm not familiar with all the dealing of DL. We live in the forest in Oregon and get a ton of rain. To me that seems like the makings of some brutal wet soggy litter. I'm a complete newbie and thought you need to try to keep the run dry as not to harbor disease.

 

[Katlinalyssa]

I'm not familiar with all the dealing of DL. We live in the forest in Oregon and get a ton of rain. To me that seems like the makings of some brutal wet soggy litter. I'm a complete newbie and thought you need to try to keep the run dry as not to harbor disease.

I’m a newbie too! I live in the Tacoma-Seattle area of WA! We are in the finishing stages of our run and I’m not 100% sure of what to put on the floor. Right now it is just dirt.

 

[Jules1349]

I’m a newbie too! I live in the Tacoma-Seattle area of WA! We are in the finishing stages of our run and I’m not 100% sure of what to put on the floor. Right now it is just dirt.

I’m redoing my run right now I’m doing rock under and dirt on top. I will prob plant some grass seed and put thicker mulch as well. I know the will KILL. The grass but trying to not let it get a muddy mess. I also put straw on top of mine currently it’s a mess sometimes but starts a good litter

 

[FishMtFarm]

How deep down do you do driveway stone how many inches of stone vs sand

We did about 6 inches of stone and then 4 inches of sand.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

The best way to keep the run dry is to cover it. Just organic material and dirt and the chicks will keep it well stirred. Very little labor to maintain. Their poo will breakdown and create a nice compost.