Muddy run help

[kristin67]

Hello all.. I need help and suggestions with a very muddy run. I live in Rhode Island and we are dealing with a lot of rain. I started my flock 3 years ago with just 12 girls. We have expanded our flock over time and now have around 35 ladies. We have two coops that both open into a 32’x32’ run. Over time our run has become a muddy mess.. especially this year. I have been researching how to help with this and want to see what you all suggest. my thoughts are to rototill the current issue and turn over the compacted soil, which is just normal forest soil with heavy clay a foot down. Then turn sand and gravel ( I see gravel mentioned- what kind/ size?) into the dirt. Once this is done start adding the usual recommendations of hay dropped by my goats, leaves, grass cuttings etc. We also are going to add a covered area with a gutter to help keep some rain off of a specific area. When I go out today I will post a photo and see if anyone can add any suggestions. Thank you in advance!! it should be noted that they are allowed to range a bit everyday to get out of run..but cannot be left out due to a high fox and coyote presence - we are surrounded by a lot of protected land.

 

[rayrose]

If you want a permanent solution, try to cover the whole run. That's what I'm doing with mine.

 

[mowin]

For now I'd use course wood chips. Call some arborist in your area.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

We had a muddy run and woodchips solved the problem. Local tree company dropped off a big pile. That and a cover will probably do the trick for you.

 

[kristin67]

If you want a permanent solution, try to cover the whole run. That's what I'm doing with mine.
We will be covering a portion of the run but it is not financially feasible to cover the entire thing

 

[jreardon1918]

In addition to the wood chips suggested above, take garden waste, non-treated yard clippings, fall leaves and dump them. Our 20'x50' uncovered area is doing well. Now we only have a few chickens, so yours will get turned quite a bit more. So the good base of wood chips is step one. Good luck.

 

[NewBoots]

Yup, coarse wood chips, we got ours free from the local tree trimmers, they were happy to have a place to dump them.

 

[aart]

I would not till, or add sand or gravel but,
definitely work on any drainage issues, then yeah, wood chippings.
My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

 

[B-Goock]

If you have lower laying land maybe run drainage pipe away from the run towards that.

Adding material to mound the run higher than the surrounding area will help. I've cut small trees, brush, and spare firewood stacked on the low spot, add some dirt, wood chips, leaves to gain some elevation. It will take years for the wood to rot and in the meantime the chickens love scratching in it finding bugs.