I need help with my muddy run...

[Teresaann24]

I didnt realize I placed my run right in the place were the gutter from the house runs. right into my run its so big I cannot move it so I need help I have for the time moved my chickens to a small run untill I can get this figured out.

I have considered cedar shavings for the run since its open and well venilated.

Idk if that would work or just over time wear down into the mud.

I need some advice on this matter! Cause I am at a loss other then taking it competly down and rebuilding it some place eles which is gonna be really hard for me.

 

[Emzyyy]

Sand works great

 

[redhen]

Quote:
x2 and you can add some pea gravel or landscaping rock over and under the sand for better drainage...

 

[patandchickens]

Putting sand or gravel into mud is pretty much a waste of money, it will disappear. You want something *cheap* and probably wood-based as a band-aid fix; once it's dried out, THEN add sand or whatever.

Intercepting incoming water is usually a big part of any fix, too.

I've done a page on fixing muddy runs, see the link in my .sig below and perhaps there will be some useful ideas there for you.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[redhen]

Quote:
why is it a waste of money? if you put down a good layer of gravel..then a thick,thick layer of sand..then another layer of gravel...it works for us...we dont have a muddy coop...

all we have to do every once in a while is add more sand or gravel..
*edited to add..when i say gravel...i mean like a pea gravel..or small landscaping rock..not "dirt" gravel...

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
If you put sand or gravel onto wet mud, 95 times out of a 100 it disappears without a trace after some months.

Whereas if you put it onto the same ground that's DRY, it will last for quite a long time, like years and years (or in the PNW, just "years"

)

So it is a whole lot more efficient to fix things temporarily by a cheap method and then put the sand or gravel down in a *lasting* way.

JME,

Pat

 

[redhen]

Quote:
If you put sand or gravel onto wet mud, 95 times out of a 100 it disappears without a trace after some months.

Whereas if you put it onto the same ground that's DRY, it will last for quite a long time, like years and years (or in the PNW, just "years"

)

So it is a whole lot more efficient to fix things temporarily by a cheap method and then put the sand or gravel down in a *lasting* way.

JME,

Pat

ooh i see now..you mean to wait till until its dry before you add the sand...okay..got it! thanks, Wendy

 

[Windwhistlefarm]

Runs not muddy, but I used rubber mulch- does anyone know of any toxicities associated?

 

[Teresaann24]

Thanks for the tips. I will wait till the weekend till it drys and try the sand and gravel. I went out this afternoon and dug a drain where the water was running away from the run. So I hope this helps with it getting so muddy. My other runs do not get this muddy they may get wet from rain blowing in but never as muddy as this run I am needing help with. Anymore tips anyone has plz add them I could use any advice.

 

[Tad]

digging a drain is a very important step in your problem, if you can re route the discharge from your gutter, try and channel it away from your run.
Next to get the chooks feet up above the mud you have to raise the grade, elevation is the key, I would think a very thick layer of mulch would do the trick, I am a big fan of truck loads of chips from the tree trimming guys!!!

I dont like gravel in livestock pens because it always seems to get choked with the poo, sand would be my second choice...