Mud in run, what to use?

[bheila]

I have a run that is 50'x35' that has turned into mud now that it has started to rain here in the great northwest. So I am wondering what I should put in there to keep the chickens from having to walk in the mud all day. I was thinking playchips or hogfuel. Although I haven't priced things out yet. I wanted to get some ideas on BYC first. The chickens are allowed to go into another run that is the same size about every other day that is just grass. I just hate the site of mud.

 

[Chirpy]

I don't have that problem here but a couple of things I've heard people suggest:

1) Put a tarp or cover over part of the run so that area stays dry.
2) Use sand.

 

[Opa]

The best would be compactable sand. It's coarser with small rock and around here is used as a base for concrete.

 

[cmom]

There are several threads that deal with this subject. Here is a good one I think. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=80987

 

[bheila]

Sand? Why didn't I think of that, duh? I've heard it a million times it just didn't come to mind. I was just trying to think of a way to get rid of our old playchips when we get our new ones. But sand definitely sounds like the way to go in our run. Thanks for the responses.