Keeping a Chicken Run From Getting Muddy?

[Starburst]

After lots of research I constructed a coop with a French drain and used chimney bricks with sand between them. Then in the run I’ve had good luck with wood chips from the trees on the property.
I’m nearby in BC to the north and we live in a rainforest so the best deal is making sure there’s places to hide from the rain and have fun. Use those wood chips and keep raking it up to keep the manure going into the depths! French drains are the best solution or the idea of making holes with gravel. I may try that one!

We put two French drains in the run because the 2x4's that the wire is secured to acts like a dam. The issue we ran into recently is the dirt from the run clogging up the drain boxes. Have you had this issue? My husband just recently had to clean out both drain boxes full of mud, old food, etc.

I would love to see pictures of both of these examples when/if you have the time!

 

[alicia-TX]

There isnt much to see. We have two basins at either end where the water really collected. One is connected to the other by the corrugated pipe then another pipe runs outside the pen. Everything flows down and out and keeps the run really dry until the basins collect so much mud and debris that nothing flows.

 

[Starburst]

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[aart]

There isnt much to see. We have two basins at either end where the water really collected. One is connected to the other by the corrugated pipe then another pipe runs outside the pen. Everything flows down and out and keeps the run really dry until the basins collect so much mud and debris that nothing flows.

View attachment 2228211View attachment 2228214

Ooo, yeah, not a great design for where it is.
Something like this?

A wider shot of whole pen, showing any slope that contributes to water gathering and/or might help it move away, might garner other ideas.

 

[alicia-TX]

Ooo, yeah, not a great design for where it is.
Something like this?
View attachment 2228324

A wider shot of whole pen, showing any slope that contributes to water gathering and/or might help it move away, might garner other ideas.

What advantage does this basin have over the others?

 

[aart]

What advantage does this basin have over the others?

The pic is for asking you if this is the type of basin you are using.
Sorry I didn't make that clear.

 

[alicia-TX]

The pic is for asking you if this is the type of basin you are using.
Sorry I didn't make that clear.

Just like this one

 

[aart]

View attachment 2228514

Just like this one

Ah, basically the same thing I posted....floor drain.

Ooo, yeah, not a great design for where it is.

Too much debris in run for a 'floor drain',
unless you want to keep cleaning the basin.

A wider shot of whole pen, showing any slope that contributes to water gathering and/or might help it move away, might garner other ideas.