How to control muddy outside coop

[mynewbabies]

Any ideas what to lay in the outside coop area so that it's not so muddy after it rains , I tried straw not so great, it is mainly dirt area, that's not plus for me. Any suggestions ?

 

[4 the Birds]

Wood chips and Straw are fast and cheap ways to knock down the mud. I use several bales in the Spring when the ground thaws and is spongy. Scrap plywood on the mud and then straw/chips is even better and a lot of sand is also a good solution. Creating a mild slope of the grade will also help drain standing rain water. I use the 12x12 brick pavers around all my farm gate areas to eliminate mud at high traffic areas. They run $1 each at the big box stores.

 

[mommyoftwo]

I have the same problem. I found someone that has sand for free so I am going to try that and see if it helps.

 

[dennisthe]

I put down crushed oyster shell's it will stop the mud and it is good for the hens to eat eat it adds calcium

 

[wekiva bird]

A roof and sand.

 

[mynewbabies]

Do you have a pic of your coop ?

 

[shellyschicks]

Any ideas what to lay in the outside coop area so that it's not so muddy after it rains , I tried straw not so great, it is mainly dirt area, that's not plus for me. Any suggestions ?

Mulch or gravel works well for me. Anything else tends to decompose quickly

 

[mynewbabies]

That looks good, do you have ducks at all ? I have 8 with all my chickens .

 

[mynewbabies]

I took your advise , we added sand and wood chips it does help with the muddy ground, with all the rain we have been having , it stays wet
Most of the time, just gets to dry alittle then here comes the rain. Trying to keep the ammonia smell down, using sweet pdz and some DE
But it seems like it gets wet too fast to get a chance to work, any other ideas on this ? Thanks.