Muddy Run Question

[cobrien]

I would put some pea gravel down (~2-3") and then sand (2-3"). Or just the sand. if you can afford it I'd also cover all or part of the run, old corrugated metal roofing works great. since you get snow, the roof would have to be strong and well supported.

At my last house I also had success with using bark nuggets - the big flat ones (2-3" around x 1/2" thick). I tried a lot of other mulch/bark type products and the big nuggets worked best. Only thing I didn't like was that when cleaning the run it was hard to separate the bark from the poop. I like to harvest the poop for my compost bin - the sand is perfect for that as it's like a big kitty litter box.

good luck!

 

[Chick Norris]

I have a lot of clay in my run that really holds the water. I dug down and removed some of the clay and I also dug a French drain to move water away from the run. Maybe a little drainage would help out with your muddy run as well.

db

 

[ralleia]

I've got a muddy run, too--today it's a mess but other stuff has taken priority for the past two weeks.

When I posted about my mud problem, someone directed me to their "how to fix a muddy run" page on BYC--I plan to implement some of the solutions.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

 

[Beth G.]

Thank sooo Sooo much everyone for your replies!!

Tonight I went out and scrapped off the top and sprinkled DE on top. Tomorrow I will go get some stone and sand.

I love this website it's got the best advice a chicken person could ask for!!!

 

[welasharon]

Be careful with the gravel/stone. Some people have used it and hated it because the chickens dug down and mixed the gravel up with the sand and then it didn't do as well.
sharon