Ground inside of the run

[Geoff3231]

Good morning! I am new to backyard chickening. My family just purchased 5 golden comets this weekend and we love them!

I built this coop from scratch (no plans) and placed it right next to my box gardens at the house. My question is regarding the ground where my chickens are free ranging in the run.

The area that the coop/run is in has rich organic soil where they are walking. It is in no way mud, but is rather moist. The bottom of my hen's feet are constantly black when outside playing in the run. The coop is nice and dry, stocked with ample wood shavings on the floor. Is this ok? I have read mixed comments about chickens and their feet in moist environments. If I have to fix this, could you share good ideas on how to? Thank you and excited about my new family members!

 

[duvallswtexas]

I too am new to chickens. The floor of our run is crushed granite but is always covered by alphalpha

hay for them to scratch around in. They get to get out of the run a couple of times a day and browse the yard/garden.

 

[RonP]

Good morning! I am new to backyard chickening. My family just purchased 5 golden comets this weekend and we love them!

I built this coop from scratch (no plans) and placed it right next to my box gardens at the house. My question is regarding the ground where my chickens are free ranging in the run.

The area that the coop/run is in has rich organic soil where they are walking. It is in no way mud, but is rather moist. The bottom of my hen's feet are constantly black when outside playing in the run. The coop is nice and dry, stocked with ample wood shavings on the floor. Is this ok? I have read mixed comments about chickens and their feet in moist environments. If I have to fix this, could you share good ideas on how to? Thank you and excited about my new family members!

I would add some coarse carbons such as wood chips and leaves.
At least a few inches, preferably more.

Do a quick search on "deep liter" and grab a cup of coffee...

 

[lazy gardener]

Yep. cover that soil with a deep composting litter. When you clean the shavings out of your coop, toss them into the run. Add grass clippings, leaves, garden debris, wood chips, hay... I only buy shavings for my coop when I run out of leaves. I do DL in both the coop and the run.