Least work-intensive ground cover for a run?

[Eggstravaganza]

In my coop at home, we just have gravel and it works fine, the chicken poop kind of just dries/decays. But we have just 5 hens and are fine with giving it a lot of attention. I am trying to get a small flock going at my school so I'm wondering what to put on the ground. I haven't decided where the run will go, so it may be on either grass or dirt. Do you guys recommend hay or what for covering the ground in the run? I want it to be the least smelly, least work-intensive possibility because I am graduating from my school this year and it's all going to be completely volunteer-run after I go and I know people are going to complain as much as possible about stink etc. Any suggestions?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Make sure the location chosen for the coop has good drainage if possible (not at the bottom of a hill). Gravel or sand would probably be the best.

 

[4 the Birds]

Sand would be OK but I would not use gravel in my opinion. Gravel would have jagg-ed edges that are not the best for the feet. Poop also would get down in the gravel and that would be really hard to rake out. Sand would rake. I use plenty of pine chips and it works good. You can fence in a grass area for the run but the chickens will scratch that to dirt through the fist Summer. You can then spread pine chips, leaves, and or straw as the grass goes away. This will keep down any mud.