Muddy run?

[Stormygrim]

Lately we've gotten many storms, and my run is very very muddy. I feel bad for my two Cochin babies who have their leg feathers completely covered in mud. Is there anything I can do to make their run a little less muddy after the rain?

 

[alexisrambles]

Maybe you can put down some sand? That or wood chips to let it drain better?

I'm in Louisiana so I'm likely to get that too.

 

[Alaskan]

If you can build up the run, and make water drain AWAY from the run, that will be huge helps.

But with feathered feet, a roofed run is really what you want.

 

[blackdog043]

Tree trimming wood chips or undyed mulch will help with a muddy run.

Is your run open or covered?

 

[gtaus]

Lately we've gotten many storms, and my run is very very muddy. I feel bad for my two Cochin babies who have their leg feathers completely covered in mud. Is there anything I can do to make their run a little less muddy after the rain?

Putting up a roof over the run, or at least a portion of the run where it meets the coop, should reduce the amount of mud. We can get wood chips for free at our local landfill, you could use that to build up your run and then the water would be at a lower level. Sand or gravel would be less muddy.

 

[Chicka_deee]

I use hay for my yard, but after a while you’ll have to replace it

 

[gtaus]

I use hay for my yard, but after a while you’ll have to replace it

Hay starts to rot when it gets wets, and smells bad. If you are tying to build up a chicken run so it is less muddy, I don't know if hay would be a good option. I like the smell of fresh hay, but if it gets wet or soiled, I always got rid of it fast. Is it pretty dry where you live in California?

 

[jreardon1918]

We have a small covered run and a larger open run. We strive for semi DLM in both. The only time it gets muddy is when I steal some of the bedding to supplement gardens. Add a bit more leaves, grass, wood chips, sticks and it resembles and smells like the forest floor.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Don't know what your run looks like, a picture could expand suggestions.
PVC or repurposed gutters can make a quick fix for water diversion.
If the water comes in or runs through at specific locations, you can employ permaculture techniques. Such as, digging a swale, adding a berm, or making a channel. Channels can be lined with stones that allow water to drain while chicken feets can still utilize the space it takes up.
Very temporary solutions can include laying some boards down, then it's up to chickens to choose to stand on the boards or the mud.

I've got sympathy. My run isn't completed yet, because my ducks are in the way, as they're still learning to free range. Boy do ducks know how to make mud! For duck challenges in particular:
Placing water fount on top of a large pavers stone (2.5' square?) So they cannot do the back and forth water, dirt, water, dirt deal.
Shavings clean out from their house gets spread on ground, giving them at least 70% of the run not mud.
Limiting access to the swimming water. We have one of those black rubbery cattle feed(?) Bowls. It's big, gotta be 15 gallons? Temporary until we can get a duck pond more suitable. Blocking all but one access side to this was critical in preventing them from billing all of the water onto ground. Filling water 4 times a day was too much for me!

 

[gtaus]

...Very temporary solutions can include laying some boards down, then it's up to chickens to choose to stand on the boards or the mud....

Yes, I was thinking you could cut up some slabs from tree trunks to make wooden pavers for the chickens to walk on above the mud. But then again, I just got a new chainsaw so every solution I think of involves using a chainsaw!