HELP! Coop Run Material

[azellmer]

I'm trying to figure out what to do for my coop run for the material on the ground.

I am currently building the coop but originally planned to build it a couple years ago (life got REALLY in the way). I had planned on doing sand, but am questioning that now. There are a lot of threads talking about the pros and cons for sand, but I am concerned because my run will not be covered. I live in Northern California with hot hot summers, so I don't want the sand to get hot and burn my sweet chick's feet. I am also concerned that if it ever rains here again since the run is not covered the sand will become hard and stinky and gross, no matter how well I rake it.

And of course, since this was planned years ago, it was started years ago. I had a brilliant plan to put gravel under the sand with hardware cloth and landscaping cloth below. So I have a giant hole filled with gravel that I haven't completed the other portions of. I am concerned about landscaping cloth tearing and losing all the sand anyway.

I am now thinking it might be best to just put the sand on the gravel, fill in with soil and have a well drained base of soil and something. Straw, hay, something?

I would really appreciate any suggestions, thoughts, or comments. Thanks so much!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Sand and gravel are the best -layered or mixed. They drain the best and will get less stinky or muddy than a combo of soil and hay (although since it is so dry, mud would be rare). The chickens will take care of keeping it loose very well with their natural inclination to scratch around. Part of your chicken run should be shaded considering that you have hot summers. I don't think you need to worry about it burning the feet.

 

[AgustinSr]

I gat sand in one of my coops, only get smelly when rains a lot, also gat a half roof in run for cover, my girls seems happy, just put play sand,....

 

[azellmer]

I never replied back and thanked you both for your input! I went with rocks, then sand, then soil. It worked really well! For a while... fast forward from 2015 til now and our girls dug up all the soil and were scratching in the rocks and damaging their feet.

A couple weeks ago, we remedied the problem by digging out and removing the existing material to a 6-8 inch depth. We got the idea from another thread on backyard chickens to use mulch and create a natural organic matter run and we love it!

Thanks again!

 

[Della Ronco]

Sand and gravel are the best -layered or mixed. They drain the best and will get less stinky or muddy than a combo of soil and hay (although since it is so dry, mud would be rare). The chickens will take care of keeping it loose very well with their natural inclination to scratch around. Part of your chicken run should be shaded considering that you have hot summers. I don't think you need to worry about it burning the feet.

What kind of sand do people use? I am new to raising chickens. I have 6. I bought quick Crete all purpose sand. Is this sand ok?

 

[Della Ronco]

I am new to raising chickens. I have 6 and want to put sand in my run. I bought quick Crete all purpose sand. Is this sand ok to use? So much confusing info on Pinterest and I think this group knows best. Thank you in advance.

 

[Steven Bussell]

All purpose sand is perfect for a base. Cover it with yard cutting or uncolored bark.
I mixed in all purpose sand with my clay soil,added pea moss and covered it with bark...

 

[Della Ronco]

I have soil there now as they ate all the grace and they have dug holes I just wanted to add to it. So sand it is. Thank you!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Yes, they are diggers! They cool off in those holes and have lovely dust baths.

 

[Della Ronco]

Yes they lay in them I just wanted more in there and didn’t want to put dirt in. I am so loving having my chickens. I planted herbs around their pen on the outside for when they are free ranging n the yard. I but them fresh herbs and the best treats. My dogs love the chickens too!