Need help with run floor

[MRichmond]

My coop-to-be was delivered yesterday and placed alongside an existing shed. Because the area was muddy after rain and unfortunately had a ton of broken glass, I had about 6" of earth scraped off and 4"-6" or so of gravel put down. The area is 10'x16'. I plan to roof over a portion and fence it entirely with hardware cloth with a 2' apron around it. I'm not sure what to do with the run floor. I have about 20 bags of year old chunky cypress mulch at hand that is composting where it sits, but I could also have sand hauled in, but I'm not sure what would be better. Any thoughts? Or if not that, does anyone have a suggestion? I'm planning on using the deep litter method in the coop with sand in the poop trays under the roost.

 

[quackersandfern]

Why not put down wooden pallets and rubber mats on top? This will make it easier to clean, prevent foxes from digging up underneath and into the run, help with drainage, and prevent them from getting injured by the broken glass.

 

[aart]

I have about 20 bags of year old chunky cypress mulch at hand that is composting where it sits,

Go with that, but I'd spread it out on a big tarp to 'air it out' and kill any molds, algae, and mildews that might be present.
I would not use sand, it'll just sift down into the gravel along with pulverized poops and stink when wet.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are the best base material, IMO.



Is there a floor in the coop?
Your 'deep litter' inside coop will be dry shavings... or...??
The term 'deep litter' is often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

 

[MRichmond]

Go with that, but I'd spread it out on a big tarp to 'air it out' and kill any molds, algae, and mildews that might be present.
I would not use sand, it'll just sift down into the gravel along with pulverized poops and stink when wet.

My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are the best base material, IMO.

Is there a floor in the coop?
Your 'deep litter' inside coop will be dry shavings... or...??
The term 'deep litter' is often misunderstood and misapplied.
I've always liked this explanation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-method-with-this-coop.1075545/#post-16440037

Thanks for responding. There’s a 3/4” plywood floor in the coop, but we have a vinyl flooring remnant to put down, so I guess it would really just be deep bedding. Thank you for the link! I’ll read it so I understand.

 

[aart]

There’s a 3/4” plywood floor in the coop, but we have a vinyl flooring remnant to put down,

That's what I have....

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.

Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.