How to get rid of mud in the out door run

[BDutch]

You might be able to find something like that....but not sure poking holes in the ground puddles will really help drainage, might just make deeper puddles.....unless you were punching thru a layer of clay into sand below.

I did have a layer of clay underneath the top layer. So for me it really helped to punch deep holes (Filled with pebbles) in the ground.

For 3 years I added lots of autumn leaves, greens and compost on top. And now I have a good top soil where more and more grasses start to grow. This is probably most barley from the grain mix I scatter in the run. Anyway something the chickens don't like very much.

The scratching chickens and rainworms mix the poo into the soil when its humid. In summer we also have glimmering green fly’s who visit the run to eat the poo and I collect the poo if the clay is very dry for a longer period. But in general it‘s a great solution not having to clean the run much. Anyway it doesn't smell, there are no puddles anymore and it looks a lot better as it did 4 years ago. And is still improving.

My run is only covered with netting but there are a few hiding places for rainy weather. E.g an old bench with EPDM on top.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Does that pull out plugs of sod?
More for aeration but water too.
On golf course greens they then fill the plug holes with sand.
Works great for turf grass....but still don't think it's an answer for a sodden chicken run....unless the topic had changed here and I missed it.

It does. And no turf grass here. It's more like the hole concept has potential depending on your mud levels. Of course, you can't do it if it's actively muddy.

 

[Manhen]

Thanks for the advice. So you don’t think straw is bad? I haven’t ever tried it.

I had mud, about 500 sq ft of it. 2 bales of straw started it off right. Might add another in a few days. Birds dig it. Literally

 

[Manhen]

did have a layer of clay underneath the top layer. So for me it really helped to punch deep holes (Filled with pebbles) in the ground.

Soil scientists might refer to that as a "clay lens".

 

[twendt]

Wisconsin chicken keeping, in my fenced in garden, It's a little icy in winter...the snow packs down. My hubby noticed the height of the garden keeps getting higher, more mulch, more poo = dirt. Should I go to sand??

 

[twendt]

I tried straw from them to walk on... what a HOT MESS!! We raked it ALL out!!!!

 

[twendt]

I have to keep them contained because... I'm doing this illegally!

 

[Manhen]

I have to keep them contained because... I'm doing this illegally!

Shhh...move to Illinios, you can do anything here....

 

[Manhen]

I tried straw from them to walk on... what a HOT MESS!! We raked it ALL out!!!!

Perhaps the hot mess was good for the birds?

 

[Cryss]

Wood chips. Nuff said.