how to get these birds off the concrete?

[JahDW]

so I built my run:

As you can see it's on cement, and I'm not so sure if this is the best for my little hen's feet. Do I need to get them off the concrete? use some kind of bedding... or sand? i dunno how manageable this will be putting bedding directly onto the cement. raise the whole deal on a few cinder blocks and have a wood floor on the run, then add bedding?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'd add some straw, pine shavings or sand.
Concrete is good but needs to be covered cause chicken poo is like concrete glued to concrete.

 

[GoldDogsMom]

Where are you located? If you are in a cold region, that concrete will get VERY cold. I wouldn't want to walk on it so I would say elevate on blocks and add a floor!

 

[chicmom]

Why don't you pour some sand in there? It helps make cleaning easier, and the chickens will love it. You can scoop out the poop with a kitty litter scooper and it stays relatively clean.

 

[JahDW]

yea... the more I read the more I'm liking the sand option. Now if I could only find river sand in my area!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Now if I could only find river sand in my area!

Most any good building supply place will either have it or can tell you where to get it.​

 

[TigerLilly]

In a pinch, Walmart sells 'playground' sand, fairly cheap. Doesnt look like you'd need a whole lot.

 

[chickfan]

We got our sand from a cement company. They had choices of various kinds...seems like construction sand was what we went with, but I don't remember for sure. I can't think of anything that would be easier to keep clean.