How to maintain dirt floors in open air run

[ehoneybee]

It's basically mud when it rains and then it dries out and gets muddy again. I read I should put straw down to keep disease at bay but then it all just washes away in the next rainstorm. Also, how am I supposed to "clean" it? I keep their coops clean but the dirt run is just covered in poop. Should I till it? Keep throwing straw on it? What do you all do?

 

[HuffleClaw]

Following

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you tried deep litter or considered it? I would not use straw, that's just going to turn into a moldy mess when it gets wet.

 

[anderstr196]

It's basically mud when it rains and then it dries out and gets muddy again. I read I should put straw down to keep disease at bay but then it all just washes away in the next rainstorm. Also, how am I supposed to "clean" it? I keep their coops clean but the dirt run is just covered in poop. Should I till it? Keep throwing straw on it? What do you all do?

I have the same type of run, I rake it every few days to get the majority of poop out. Mine is on a hill and has good drainage but that does stop the mud during the rainy days. I was thinking of using sand but I have sandy soil already and would just wash away in the rain.. I’m always looking for something better.

 

[GuineaFowling]

What about mulch? I was thinking about layering it over the run floor. Is that a good idea?

 

[ehoneybee]

What about mulch? I was thinking about layering it over the run floor. Is that a good idea?

I just see that getting mixed up with the mud. They're in a shady spot, too, so it doesn't dry out as fast as if they were in sun. I think they appreciate it in the summer but.

 

[Blooie]

I just use deep litter on my dirt run floor - true deep litter, not deep bedding. The badge is dried leaves and then just about anything that moves slower than me gets tossed in. No issues in 6 years, and I only clean out every couple of years.

 

[jthornton]

I keep pine chips in the run and dry leaves in the yard.

JT

 

[Chicken crossing the road]

Covered run?
I use deep litter with a covered run, it’s been working well.
I also use straw but in small amounts ( it smells nice). Sand as base covering hardware cloth laid down over loose rocks ( no drainage problems) for my set up , leaves, lots of bark mulch, grass clippings not too much,garden stuff, etc.

 

[Fairview01]

# of chickens, soft of run. If it's always covered in poo sounds like there are too many chickens for the size of the run.

When it rains its gets muddy. ignore it.