Muddy Run Solutions?

[PapaChaz]

coming back to this thread to add to it. Since my post in April, I've put in wood chips twice, and grass clippings every time I cut the grass. My run is built up, dries quickly when it rains and I have no problems with any odor at all. I think adding the fresh grass clippings helps with that, and it's like walking on really soft padded carpet! and they can dig all they want, they keep it pretty well stirred up for me, so I don't have to do anything other than add to it. Oh, I've also put in any weed, dirt and all, that we pull from the garden and flower beds

This fall, I'll add leaves to the mix. I do know the chickens love it!

 

[Cluckies]

What type of wood chips do you use for this?

 

[PapaChaz]

What type of wood chips do you use for this?

whatever the tree trimming company has on the truck

not recommended to use cedar because of the smell and potential respiratory problems for the chickens, and don't grind up pressure treated lumber and use the chips or sawdust.

pretty much anything else though

 

[islafarm]

I also live in a very wet and humid place and had thought to leave my run uncovered. Thank goodness the rains started before I got the chickens - after I covered with tarps it took a couple of weeks to dry out enough to add the girls. Now it gets wet around the edges, depending on wind direction, but it's livable. Because they're tarps I can pull them back during sunny days, and though I only have one half rigged up to do that, it works well enough. The roof is 6 1/2 foot high, so the sun gets in in the morning and later afternoon. The floor is covered with a mix of sawdust, shavings, leaves, sand and cacao chaff (we make chocolate) which I just dump in there and the girls spread it around. I also planted around the edges - both inside and outside the run, to take advantage / soak up the water that does get in. Inside I planted something they would eat and outside a water hungry plant that also makes thick woven root clumps to deter predators digging in. So far I like it, especially the way the floor is coming along: beginning to look like good soil for my veggie beds.

 

[Emma Miriam]

You could add sand...that would help with drainage, I'd imagine.

Also, how about clear polycarbonate roofing? Like Suntuf from Home Depot? That would let maximum light in while still blocking rain. Honestly, though, if your runs are 8 feet high, no roof would block all the sun; there would still be patches of bright sunlight most of the day.

Hope that helps a bit!

 

[PapaChaz]

while sandy loamy soil does drain better, putting sand on top of what you have won't improve drainage and then it becomes a surface you'd have to clean on a regular basis.

 

[the poppster]

I use sawmill sawdust in my run...turn it over a couple times a week or so...add grass clippings and leaves....shovel the old bedding out there and let the birds spread it out....then I add wood ashes and till it all in....Will add a few bags of dirt when it goes on sale...and feed sacks of sand spread around....it composites down and I dig out some whenever I need some good rich dirt....it's a bit of work....but it keeps the coop and run from getting muddy and stinky....and the birds love it....they are crowded around me when I turn it over.

 

[RavenClawPekin6]

If you're ever cutting the grass you could dump the grass in the run. They'll forage in it and it's more grass.

 

[Emma Miriam]

That's true, but just be careful that the chickens don't get impacted crops from the long grass clippings! I've read that that can happen.

 

[RonP]

As fresh cut grass is 98% water, it won't help with a moisture/mud issue.

Too much will actually clump into a slimy anaerobic odorous mess...unless placed on about 12 inches of wood chips...

.

Hope this helps.