muddy run?

[chickenchalupa]

After every rain, my run gets pretty muddy and the chickens don't like it. What could i do to prevent it from getting muddy? Would spreading hay work?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Drainage ditches and sand.

 

[chookchick]

patandchickens has a page on muddy runs--see if I can find it.

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

 

[Big C]

Your elevation is off.
To allow for drainage the area would need to be higher. Hay would just exacerbate the problem by staying wet since it can only absorb a certain amount of moisture. Then it can develop a fungus which is not good and could lead to respiritory problems for your flock.
Can you trench the lower side to get some water runoff area?

We do this for a living, If we don't allow for drainage it will affect our work and our cutomers homes. For every 20 ft you should allow for a 1 inch drop in elevation away from any structure or area that is occupied.

 

[cpa0912]

I had the same problem, not an elevation prob, but the dirt just dont drain and holds all moisture. What I did was excavate a 2' wide x 6" deep trench around coop & run and lined with fabric and gravel. This will avoid any water from running into the coop & run. In the run area and under coop I have about 4" of sand that I rake every few days. Never muddy and never smells.

 

[fordmommy]

I put play sand in mine. That helps a lot.