Help with the floor in the run?

[Mjkpreno]

I had my yard landscaped and they left this “pathway pebble” on the ground where the coop is going. Is this ok or too sharp for their feet? (See picture). I was thinking about putting sand in the floor of the enclosure. Should I add sand on top of pebbles? Or just remove the pebbles all together? I never had chickens before on not sure how the pebbles would work with the poop. Thanks!!

 

[Latestarter]

They will have no problem with those pebbles whatsoever. If you want to add sand on top, by all means feel free to do so. No idea where you are physically located but am guessing a hot dry place. Make sure the birds have access to shade and plenty of fresh water.

 

[Mjkpreno]

Yes. Very hot and dry. I’m a bit worried about them in the summertime. It gets up to 105 here. So hot. Thanks for the advice!

 

[aart]

I never had chickens before on not sure how the pebbles would work with the poop.

Probably not well........but if you're in a hot dry place it might be fine, if you like to pick up poops daily. Deep to semi-deep litter works best for my run.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Yes. Very hot and dry. I’m a bit worried about them in the summertime. It gets up to 105 here. So hot. Thanks for the advice!

I also live in a hot dry state Nevada. I absolutely love my misters!!! (Home Depot) I also provide lots of shade. Took awhile for things to grow (tree ect.) my girls were nice and cool (all things considered). I love my little pets and their delicious eggs. Good luck to you and yours. Your setup looks similar to mine when I first started.

 

[MissChick@dee]

P. S. Heat will kill. Not to be a turd in the punch bowl....looks like you want to provide a great little pen. I put up the misters myself. Easy-Peasy to do.

 

[Mjkpreno]

P. S. Heat will kill. Not to be a turd in the punch bowl....looks like you want to provide a great little pen. I put up the misters myself. Easy-Peasy to do.

Thanks! I will check the misters out! They are ready to go outside it a few weeks. I’m a bit nervous! Right now they are in the garage with an AC. They were panting a little before I set up the AC. Now they seem a bit happier.

 

[Mjkpreno]

Probably not well........but if you're in a hot dry place it might be fine, if you like to pick up poops daily. Deep to semi-deep litter works best for my run.

Hopefully it will be ok! If not, it will be a lot of shoveling!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Well MJK hope you love your chickens just half as much as I love mine. Sounds silly but they are SO much fun! You’ll adapt as you go. I just have dirt in my run I Don’t shovel anything (except to add dirt) I rake. One big bonus w/chickens is that their poop is THE BEST for gardening. Once they start to lay they drop enormous poops. I scoop those up with a dog pooper-scooper and put it in my composter it is so good for my garden beds! You might think about a scooper. Way easier than shoveling. Anyways...excited for you and your lucky little chicks.

 

[aart]

Hopefully it will be ok! If not, it will be a lot of shoveling!

Well, you could just put deep litter over the gravel and not have to pick up any poops or shovel any gravel.