Need help deciding what material to use for run floor - picture included!

[loohoo]

Deep litter is great in a wet environment, however since this doesn't have the usual dirt floor, I don't know how well it'd work. You wouldn't get the same effect as if it were on the ground, interacting with the soil, moisture, microbes, etc.

Sand + wet isn't ideal either, though I guess if it can dry out quickly enough it might work?

Don't see too many elevated runs, that's why this is a bit tricky.

Thank you! My husband has definitely second guessed the floor since building it..its just, that part of the yard has serious drainage issues and of course, thats the specific part of the yard it would really work to have the coop.
This may sound dumb, and I apologize if it does but What do we think about putting a layer of soil first on the floor of the run, and then adding everything else so there is soil in there? Not the same?

 

[aart]

What do we think about putting a layer of soil first on the floor of the run, and then adding everything else so there is soil in there? Not the same?

Not the same.
Tough situation.
Anything you add in there will get wet and may rot the floor out.
Wondering how bad the drainage issue is, what causes it, and if maybe it could have been/can be fixed.

 

[loohoo]

Not the same.
Tough situation.
Anything you add in there will get wet and may rot the floor out.
Wondering how bad the drainage issue is, what causes it, and if maybe it could have been/can be fixed.

We have covered the floor with rubber since this picture was taken and also added 3 drains, if that makes a difference, in terms of the floor rotting.

The soil here is very much clay, and our house sits in a bit of a valley. Its sort of been one thing after another with the drainage problem here at the house...basement took on water about a year ago due to the drainage problems. We fixed drains on outside of house and installed sump pump, fixed the basement issue but contributed to yard issue which was already a mess. We just had to lay pipe this spring to take the water from downspouts out to the ditch and had to have topsoil hauled in because that area is all roots from big trees and we couldn't dig down to bury the pipe. Thats of course in the same area as the coop.
We thought we'd circumvent the situation entirely with the chickens and just build a raised floor, but I guess that's not so simple.

 

[aart]

Serious issues not easily rectified.

We have covered the floor with rubber since this picture was taken and also added 3 drains, if that makes a difference, in terms of the floor rotting.

The rubber should help if it's sealed tight.
Sounds interesting, where do the drains go?
Did you take construction pics?

 

[rosemarythyme]

The soil here is very much clay, and our house sits in a bit of a valley. Its sort of been one thing after another with the drainage problem here at the house...basement took on water about a year ago due to the drainage problems. We fixed drains on outside of house and installed sump pump, fixed the basement issue but contributed to yard issue which was already a mess. We just had to lay pipe this spring to take the water from downspouts out to the ditch and had to have topsoil hauled in because that area is all roots from big trees and we couldn't dig down to bury the pipe. Thats of course in the same area as the coop.

Ugh, I feel for you. Our soil at least has excellent drainage but the best description of our lot is, we're a giant aquifer. Had 2 floods last winter, both going through the chicken run (which drained out faster than any spot in the yard lol, thanks deep litter). At least the coop - and our house - was spared from damage.

Really wish I could think of something that would most likely work, but you might be stuck doing some experimentation.

 

[loohoo]

Ugh, I feel for you. Our soil at least has excellent drainage but the best description of our lot is, we're a giant aquifer. Had 2 floods last winter, both going through the chicken run (which drained out faster than any spot in the yard lol, thanks deep litter). At least the coop - and our house - was spared from damage.

Really wish I could think of something that would most likely work, but you might be stuck doing some experimentation.

Ugh, yes water issues are not fun at all!! I'm glad your house was spared! ❤ Yard issues are one thing but when they carry over into your house...thats the worst!

Thank you for all your help! We are going to experiment with DLM, we may as well give it a try...if it doesn't work, we'll be back to the drawing board! Lol We have really good dirt we've composted for a few years, leaves, pine needles, mulch, and all sorts of materials at our disposal.

 

[loohoo]

Serious issues not easily rectified.
The rubber should help if it's sealed tight.
Sounds interesting, where do the drains go?
Did you take construction pics?

I didn't take pictures, I wish I did!
The drains are in the floor and drain out in the yard.
Thanks for your help, I really do appreciate it! We're going to experiment with DLM, if it doesn't work, we'll have to revisit the drawing board but we may as well give it a try before we give up on this particular idea, since we've gotten to this point with it! Worst that can happen is it doesn't work!

 

[aart]

Pics of the drains in the floor would be good.
Do they tie into the other drains, or are they open to the air...or???
You'll have to be sure the bedding stays out of the drains, don't want to plug them up.