Help! Run issues!

[themkleclair]

Help!! I have approx. 2' x 11' run (covered) with sand flooring, I am having huge issues as it has rained the last three days and The floor is so wet with no drying In sight. I think Bc the run Is so narrow that there is no hope for the rain to stay out. I'm at a loss of what to do. Should I try to extend the run to make it wider to Give the sand a chance? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Here is a picture of what the coop and run look like:

 

[themkleclair]

 

[waynem1983]

Im by no means an expert, but sand holds water quite well and in my honest opinion is not an ideal out door covering material.

you could try a deep layer of gravel under to provide more drainage, but personally I would look at a different material all together. Even something as grass cuttings, dropped leaves would drain off anddry faster. And would rot down quite well and require less cleaning.

 

[MrSelf Destruct]

Can you locate specific areas where the water is wanting to pool or run? Might want to try a french drain or something. They are pretty cheap and easy to build.

 

[petrel]

The gravel underneath would help it drain, but without some direct sunlight and some raking, it may take some time to dry, gravel or not. Can the entire coop and run be lifted off of the sand and set beside it? The chickens would love that gorgeous lawn and it would give the sand time and sunlight to dry.

 

[themkleclair]

Thanks for all the awesome replies! I'm worried if I don't remove the sand it's going to continue to get saturated because of the wit only being to feed the rain comes in from either side. There's no pinpoint where it pools it just all get saturated. What are your thoughts if I remove all the sand and put in sod? And then maybe start the deep letter method on top? I love the idea of moving the entire run but the only problem is I have wire mesh attached to the underneath so if I would move it to the grass without anything on top it would hurt their feet.
The sand works beautifully in their coop and is so easy to clean but it doesn't get wet inside their coop. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

 

[petrel]

I have 2" x 4" wire on the bottom of my tractor. I've only been at this for a few months, but the wire doesn't seem to hurt their feet.

It seems to me that deep litter would get just as wet as the sand. Would it be possible to add enough overhang to the roof to keep the sand dry?

 

[The Lazy L]

Put a tarp over the top to extend the eaves out further, to keep the rain from dripping/blowing in.

 

[themkleclair]

I wonder if I close off one side on the run with plywood or something similar and then make an over hang in other side? Gosh I just don't know. I agree petrel that the deep litter method would get as wet. What are thoughts on making the run larger so it's not so thin?

 

[itstrist]

I would cover both sides next to the ramp maybe like 4 or 5 feet with something like a tarp so that way there is some dry sand and then if they wanted to go out in the wet sand they have an option.