How to keep ground “clean” and safe + other advice for new chicken mama ❤️

[bumblychicken]

Hi everyone, my chicken run is approximately 22-25ft long and 14 or so feet wide

The ground is just the grass and dirt we built it on

Are there others who just use the dirt and grass and will the poop just decompose?

I know sand is an option but it isn’t for me right at this moment

Is it alright to keep it natural like this if they aren’t free ranging?

I have 9 in total and they are almost 10 weeks old and have been outside for almost 2 weeks so far

Thank you and if you have any other advice for a new chicken mom please feel free to share!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They will eventually dig up all the grass. Until than it's fine. After that it all depends on drainage of the soil. I would switch to a deep litter run when all the grass is gone. We just put grass clippings, fall leaves, pulled weeds, hay, and occasionally shavings. The chickens will turn it, and should keep it mostly clean as long as the area is big enough for the amount of birds on it. Sand is best for covered runs.