mulch or gravel

[davimi]

I want to put something in my chicken run so they do not get so muddy. Which would be better, mulch or gravel?

 

[homeschoolmama]

Gravel- I have sand in mine-works great!!

 

[enggass]

How about gravel/stone with 1" minus on top?

 

[patandchickens]

see the "fix a muddy run" link in my .sig below for a full discussion of the matter

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[momof2monkeys]

I used to throw shavings down when it got muddy. That was horrible! It got soggy and was hard to clean out. I switched to sand and it is SO much easier to keep clean. It should be at least 2-3 inches deep to guard against the mud puddles. I also have a couple of paving stones to walk on when it rains and floods. Good luck!

 

[LadyWoodsong]

Hello, all. This is my first post here.

I've been reading a lot on this sand issue and am curious.....do you ever clean it all out and start over with new? And if you do, what do you do with all the old sand?

 

[momof2monkeys]

I've raked mine out once since I switched and I threw the "used" sand and droppings into my compost pile. It's so much easier than the shavings and MUCH less to clean. I take off the dirty top layer and pour another bag or two of sand in to refill. I think I may shovel it out in the summer and replace most of the sand and again, the compost will be filled!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Anything ORGANIC will just create more problems.

Sand is the best for drainage and easy clean up