MA= rocky soil…can’t always dig down very far? Is that true in your yard?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
we studied where the water was going, after each change was made.
Wood chips are perfectly fine, don't even worry. I don't know if you were told on here to avoid them, but a lot of us on here use chips.Agree with woodchips being a good option. So many have told me to avoid because of the risk of splinters/bumblefoot
I personally wouldn't add topsoil, for freeze thaw. If you want to raise the level more, instead of putting 3 - 4 inches of chips like I said earlier, put 4 - 5 inches to start. With all those chips it will give your chickens a lot of scratching and dust bathing area. The chips will help absorb water and break down, so you will have to add more as needed.I am also considering adding a yard or 2 of topsoil and raising the level of the dirt up a few inches in there.
MA= rocky soil…can’t always dig down very far? Is that true in your yard?
It was a local FB group that vehemently warned against wood chips. They're generally helpful, friendly folks. But, like all of FB, it can be very divisive. My dad's town dump has free chips for the taking, so I might pick some up.Wood chips are perfectly fine, don't even worry. I don't know if you were told on here to avoid them, but a lot of us on here use chips.
I personally wouldn't add topsoil, for freeze thaw. If you want to raise the level more, instead of putting 3 - 4 inches of chips like I said earlier, put 4 - 5 inches to start. With all those chips it will give your chickens a lot of scratching and dust bathing area. The chips will help absorb water and break down, so you will have to add more as needed.
The corners of the run are really bad, as you can see in the pictures. They dug them out so quickly. I think perhaps we need to dig, add gravel and dirt, and maybe bring add some more pavers inside the run near the corners. Basically reinforcing them
Excellent idea! Rocks might work better, just to keep wet wood from touching more wet wood. But yes, they could probably dig us a swimming pool if we let them.Chickens are incredible excavators. A lot of people end up putting rocks or logs against the inside perimeter of the wire to prevent unwanted digging.
Just leave an open trench until you know it works there.....or for always, then it can be dug out again.We were thinking originally of digging a trench about 1-1.5' deep just beyond the apron,
Pavers are a good bet, or logs, or boards....I did a bit of each.They dug them out so quickly. I think perhaps we need to dig, add gravel and dirt, and maybe bring add some more pavers inside the run near the corners.