How to keep run clean?

[aart]

It’s approx 60’ x 60’ in the open area. We wanted to give them a large free range experience as possible. There is no standing water. Yes I am from Delaware.

That's pretty big area to 'keep clean'...or cover with bedding.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[DEChickGal]

That's pretty big area to 'keep clean'...or cover with bedding.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2161068

Thanks! That’s very helpful. It is a big area but we have a lot of land and my husband helps.

 

[ChickForLife]

Can I just have normal ground in my run?

 

[DEChickGal]

Can I just have normal ground in my run?

Amen!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can I just have normal ground in my run?

Sure you can, but in most cases it turns into a barren, muddy, smelly mess.

 

[ChickForLife]

Sure you can, but in most cases it turns into a barren, muddy, smelly mess.

Can I use top soil?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can I use top soil?

What happens to uncovered top soil (or any soil) when it rains? Mud. Now add the fragrance of chicken poop to that...

 

[ChickForLife]

What is something cheap I an use?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is something cheap I an use?

Really depends on what's available to you. My run litter is 100% free and 100% from my own lot - we have wood chips from our fallen branches, dried leaves from the fall, grass clippings from the lawn, weeds I've yanked, clipped overgrowth from the veggie garden.

No more mud problem, no odor problem, and the chickens enjoy digging through it all.

Plus it saves money in that I don't have to pay to have this yard "waste" taken away.

 

[3KillerBs]

What is something cheap I an use?

You can often get wood chips free from a landscape company if you're willing to take the whole truck load. But you'll need to let them age before using them.

Some municipalities dump all the wood chips and yard waste they collect curbside into big piles and let residents haul away anything they want.