layer of rocks in the run?okay?

[chickenshagg]

I put a thin layer of Pea Gravel in my run. My run is about 15x14 for 7 birds and is not covered. I added the gravel after I had read on BYC that it is not good for chickens to be in a muddy area and we had a really wet spring. I let my chickens out of the run when I am home to watch them so they are able to get some grass, seeds, bugs and such. I have not noticed any problems and the chickens are able to scratch through the rocks and get to dirt.

 

[speckledhen]

Any abrasion on the foot will allow staph germs to enter and cause bumblefoot. If the rocks are river pebble type, you may have no problem at all. Something rough will cause bumblefoot, trust me. I've been there way too many times with it on this rocky, thorny mtn.