My run is discusting!!!!!

[MEchickenfarmer33]

hello everyone,
I have been noticing that my chickens run has been getting worse and worse as the poop begins to build up!! When it rains it gets all muddy and gross and my girls need fresh air so I am forced to make them walk in the gross mud/poop. I let them free range everyday at about 4 pm to dark but they still suffer standing there all day while im at school. Also I need to improve the run anyways so I was looking for some advice. What should I do to make the run grassy again without having to relocate the run. I was thinking i could place in soil and try to grow grass and not allow access to the run until the grass was grown up. or i was also thinking sod, or maybe wood chips. I need advice!!! thanks for all your answers

 

[chickenrun1020]

I just put down concrete sand in my coop and run, I've noticed less odor and flies I pick up poop with a kitty litter scoop. The sand quickly dries and is cool on the feet. My chickens love it. Like you I let them free range after 4.

 

[spikennipper]

I have wood chip in mine that they seem to well on, covering the run with tarpaulin may be a good idea so that it doesn't get all soggy too

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

If the poop is just building up, you need to clean it out. Even with the best set up and material, you still have got to clean it out eventually. There is no sense in making your chickens walk in poop/mud. Right now, you are building the ideal conditions for disease to start. Chickens will destroy grass. Runs and grass just don't mix, that is something we all must face. If I were in your position, I would put down gardening cloth over the existing ground. Then I would put in either gravel or sand or a mix of both with boards along the edge of the run to hold it in. Then I would cover half or 3/4 of the run in a heavy duty tarp or shade cloth. You also need to stop the water before it reaches the run by intersepting it.
This link shows you how to fix a muddy run: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-fix-a-muddy-run-chicken-coop

 

[Tigertrea]

I rake my run about once a week. It is higher in the middle so, when it rains, water drains quickly. So far (a whopping 11 weeks LOL) so good. I toss a lot of greens in almost daily. I forage for them (I may be a little nuts?) picking weeds, tall grass, grass clippings, kitchen scraps. Some they eat, some they don't. What they don't dries up. when I rake I actually leave it all in the run (so far, that may change) but pile it up in 1 or 2 places. They use it as a dust bath, spread it back around, turn it over and it composts nicely. I also sprinkle stable dry over the run area about weekly. I do it after I put them in at night so that it has time to dry out the droppings overnight. So far, so good. No smell, droppings are either dried or piled and I'm getting some wonderful compost! My run is also a bit smaller than I like for the numbers of chickens but, they will be free ranging for at least part of the day soon. (hopefully all day starting in the fall!)

Just this wee I loosened some of the dirt in the run though. I'm waiting to see how that works for me. The chickens love having the loose dirt and I'm sure it will get packed down again. I just want to know how it works if it rains.

OH, my run is also 3/4 covered exposed to late afternoon sun. The sun helps keep it dry.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

thanks to all!!! what kind of sand and gravels should I use?? like name brands or kinds of the product would be appreciated

also would wood chips work as well mixed with sand or is it strictly the gravel and sand mixture???

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

thanks to all!!! what kind of sand and gravels should I use?? like name brands or kinds of the product would be appreciated

also would wood chips work as well mixed with sand or is it strictly the gravel and sand mixture???

What kind of sand and gravels? I would say the cheapest kind.

That's what I get. Do be sure and put 2'' by 4'' or even larger boards along the bottom edges of the run to hold the sand in. Else it will disappear.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

We used CONTRACTOR'S Sand (it's a type, not a brand) and NOT play sand...it is readily available at home/garden improvement stores.
That's in the "Secure" pen/run...the larger "day pen" is dirt with their dried out, left over weeds and grasses etc. that I rake into piles every couple of days to make them re-decorate as they see fit. I did put a little hay in there to see what they would do with it. Our soil is naturaly sand based so the runs dry out quite quickly. We also sprinkle DE in the secure run every now and then as well. I tried wood shavings for a while, but the little dears were kicking it into waterers and feeders to the point of exasperation....they are VERY happy with the sand and have their precious wollows staked out to dust bathe in.

 

[MEchickenfarmer33]

thanks for the replies!! I have already found the materials needed and will be doing that asap!!! And i wont forget the boards to hold it in

my dad is like a god with building things so it should be simple to put it together. thanks for helping me keep nasty diseases away from my hens and roo!!!

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

thanks for the replies!! I have already found the materials needed and will be doing that asap!!! And i wont forget the boards to hold it in

my dad is like a god with building things so it should be simple to put it together. thanks for helping me keep nasty diseases away from my hens and roo!!!

Your welcome! Good luck and enjoy your chickens!