HELP!!!! Chicken are flooded!!!!

[patandchickens]

See my "Fixing a Muddy Run" page
(https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run)

REader's Digest version: divert incoming groundwater and provide runoff trenches for existing floodwater; roof/side if possible; use downspouts and extensions to divert roof water away from run; add fill if run is below surrounding ground level. You can add almost anything, even pallets, as an emergency temporary measure; but in the long run, your best footing to prevent future mud (once you have conquered the water-input part of the problem) is something inorganic like sand or gravel.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I used sand. Our clay ground is terrible when wet. We have a roof and water is diverted but that clay was bad. I put some sand in. Not enough to buy the clay but enough to mix in with the clay and now it gets wet but not muddy and it no longer sticks to their feet.

 

[Equus5O]

Quote:
We have nothing but clay here. Well, there's boulders too, but that's another story. Fortunately, where we put the coop and run, it doesn't really get boggy, and we've had loads of rain lately.

I'd like to put sand in the run just to have better footing, but I don't want to empty out the sandbox, and at the moment I don't want to order another load. The sand in the sandbox is construction sand, too, and I think it would be perfect for the girlies.

They would get more use out of it than my son does.

I'd also like to till it once in a while, but there's so many roots beneath the surface there. I've also been known to kinda till chain link fencing, too LOL

Those suckers can be hard to steer away from the fence!

 

[RendonRoo]

I covered my runs and have metal 2' up on the sides. Even in a blowing rain it only gets slightly damp and dries quickly when the chicks start scratching around. If your run isn't real big this could be a possibility.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

carolina chicky,

do you have a picture of your coop & run? I enjoy seeing everyone's designs.

You can go to my BYC page and see mine. Our run is elevated about 10 inches in an old tiered flower bed. This helps ALOT. We got rain ALL night long this past Friday and Saturday and although I did not have standing water the next day, the ground was like a soaked sponge so I threw the discarded pine shavings from my brooder in there and that kept the chickies feet cleaner than without it.

Good luck!!

 

[valentinebaby]

I plan on using sand as soon as possible. Have read on this site the ground must be dry before you put the sand down (not sure why, but I trust those in the know!). Look for Stall Dry at TSC - worked GREAT on drying up my soil.

 

[CityChook]

If you need to fill a bit to enhance drainage, you might want to consider some class 5 before laying down a couple inches of sand. You should be fine then.

I just have 4 inches of sand in my run. It's covered and dry pretty much year 'round.

 

[MIKE555444]

The root of your problem is the extra water and no matter what you add to your run to temp take care of your problem you really should try to divert the water or you will more less have a temperary fix. For example.... If flood water comes in over your sand then you will have a yucky layer of mud on top of your sand.

Good Luck

Mike