Material for ground in run, windy location

[amama]

I'm probably overthinking everything, but what material do most people use in the run? Our run/pen was grass, but we've had the hens over a week so now it's definitely starting to look more like dirt than grass. I would think dirt is fine until it rains?

I see a lot of people use sand, but the house we moved to is in a very windy location; we thought it was just a few windy days, but it is most days, and some are so windy that there is a fire warning. I can't imagine sand on the ground lasting very long.

Then you have to rake the sand often?

We don't want the expense of putting walls up around the run.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[newwestchick]

Heres my personal thoughts, there's no hard and fast right answers.
If it's not covered then the earth is just fine that's already there... If it is wet where you live the rain will take care of the poop for you
If it's covered or you live in a particularly dry climate, you might want to use some hay or leaves or grass clipping (controversial but I've never had an issue) to make a deep litter run.
I have never used sand myself. The fencing around the run will contain whatever you put down, as it builds up and the chickens compact it just turn it with a rake to loosen it back up. Or throw the scratch for your chickens in there and they'll do it for you.
Best wishes!

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We use grass clippings, hay, straw, pine needles & leaves. Our run is covered which helps keep things dry. Never had a problem with wind blowing it around.

 

[amama]

I didn't know how the pine needles would be on their feet, we have a ton of pine trees on 50 acres, lots of downed ones too. I'll just try some different free things then, and see if they'll stay in the run with the wind. Thanks

I know we want part of it covered for shade for them in the summer, but wasn't sure the best thing to use, a tarp will get torn right off with that wind.