Keeping a Chicken Run From Getting Muddy?

[Venture Valley Farm]

Mulch the dirt with hay. It will compost and soften the ground underneath. Plus the chickens will like to scratch through it.

 

[Geonmelmom]

Hi, everyone! This may be a silly question, but does anyone have any tips for keeping chicken runs from getting muddy? I live in Western Washington, where it's raining most of the time. My chicken run is big, about 30' square and I can't cover it. While I do have two huge evergreens growing in the middle, they don't stop most of the rain. The dirt is packed as hard as rock in half of it, and during storms, my chickens are sloshing around in the water, which can not be good for them. To sum it up, do any of you have any tips for making the dirt better draining and getting less muddy? Thanks!

I had my kids tunnel like in the sand box, they got it to drain pretty nice, if the trenches don't bother you. Otherwise tha palette idea may work

 

[PDXJULES]

P.S. The first thing, however, is managing the drainage on the site so that water runs out of or around rather than into the chicken area.

Grass swales and French drains are two popular methods for redirecting water.

Some ideas: if there is any slope or little hill in the space, you could dig a very narrow trench to direct rainwater to a swale or pond full of, or surrounded by things critters like to eat, and shrubby plants which provide shelter. If needed, it could be under a row of pallets or plank perches as a bridge. A new tree or 3 will also absorb a lot of winter rainwater and offer beauty and a rain canopy. If you are near Portland, I can offer Fir, Cherry and Plum Saplings, and many flowering shrub starts. Adding something with a roof and gutter to a rain barrel is also possible. Craigslist often has stuff for free and 2 queen futons can be joined to frame a simple structure, with a painted plywood, safety glass, or tin roof (outdoor grade wood - not OSB).

 

[rbigokie]

Hi, everyone! This may be a silly question, but does anyone have any tips for keeping chicken runs from getting muddy? I live in Western Washington, where it's raining most of the time. My chicken run is big, about 30' square and I can't cover it. While I do have two huge evergreens growing in the middle, they don't stop most of the rain. The dirt is packed as hard as rock in half of it, and during storms, my chickens are sloshing around in the water, which can not be good for them. To sum it up, do any of you have any tips for making the dirt better draining and getting less muddy? Thanks!

My poultry are all lock in run for now, but I been adding sand to it and its getting where it stays pretty dry except for a couple spots, need couple more loads of sand.

 

[Starburst]

Some ideas: if there is any slope or little hill in the space, you could dig a very narrow trench to direct rainwater to a swale or pond full of, or surrounded by things critters like to eat, and shrubby plants which provide shelter. If needed, it could be under a row of pallets or plank perches as a bridge. A new tree or 3 will also absorb a lot of winter rainwater and offer beauty and a rain canopy. If you are near Portland, I can offer Fir, Cherry and Plum Saplings, and many flowering shrub starts. Adding something with a roof and gutter to a rain barrel is also possible. Craigslist often has stuff for free and 2 queen futons can be joined to frame a simple structure, with a painted plywood, safety glass, or tin roof (outdoor grade wood - not OSB).

Thanks for the helpful advice! I'm hoping on getting a covered area over the muddy area on the run once I have the time

 

[PDXJULES]

Thanks for the helpful advice! I'm hoping on getting a covered area over the muddy area on the run once I have the time

I'm in the same boat - CHickie tractor working great for days not, but still hauling in 7 lively Chicks every night. It usually rains the 3rd week of August...so maybe that can be a target for getting the framing together.

 

[KaltasinKoopSookeBC]

Yes, of course.

If the chicken run *is* sitting in a pond of water the facility should be relocated and/or the drainage problem corrected with grass swales, French drains, etc.

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!

 

[evilleramsfan]

Make sure the ground is slightly sloped and use 2" diameter PVC pipes to carry the water out and away from the run on the downhill side.

 

[alicia-TX]

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.

 

[aart]

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.

Yep. Post some pics of what you've got.