New chicken enclosure

[Oreoandhens]

Hi everyone. We are planning on moving our chickens on our grassy bit of the garden. I know the grass will be gone in no time. I have heard that sand is convenient in the run. Would this work on soil once there is no grass left? Thank you

 

[Bear1978]

Why not just leave the bare soil? They’ll just scratch and peck to find insects in the soil or scratch the sand out of the way to get to the bugs down in the soil? As long as there’s no major drainage, run off or erosion problems it should be ok I think?

 

[Oreoandhens]

The only thing I’m worried is it getting really muddy as it does rain a lot here especially in the winter, however the enclosure does have a back wall and a roof on it. I was thinking to putting some stepping stones in there too.

 

[Bear1978]

You can try that. But the only sure way of keeping it from getting muddy is to have it covered. However, I’m sure there are others on here with similar situations who can offer better advice. Or you can search the forums using the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to find other threads on this topic.

I don’t have this problem myself as my run is completely covered with a tin roof. Good luck.

 

[Oreoandhens]

You can try that. But the only sure way of keeping it from getting muddy is to have it covered. However, I’m sure there are others on here with similar situations who can offer better advice. Or you can search the forums using the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to find other threads on this topic.

I don’t have this problem myself as my run is completely covered with a tin roof. Good luck.

Yes that one will have a plastic roof on it and one covered side so I’m hoping the rain won’t come in as much

 

[rosemarythyme]

Far as I know sand works best when kept dry, like a desert. Not sure how well it'll work for you if you can't keep it dry. I'd recommend deep litter instead, provided your run location does not have unresolved drainage issues.

 

[lalalandchickens]

Don't do sand in a wet conditions trust me, hauling out sand is heavy heavy work and that is not even when it's wet and stinky. I would leave the grass and when it goes to bare soil add some wood chips or free draining wood shavings like easibed.

 

[jreardon1918]

We started with grass/weeds. It is kind of hard and rocky. Over time we added cut grass, leaves, garden waste, pine shavings from the coop clean outs and of course chicken poop. The run now is deep bedding. When we need compost we just shovel out what we need.

 

[Oreoandhens]

Don't do sand in a wet conditions trust me, hauling out sand is heavy heavy work and that is not even when it's wet and stinky. I would leave the grass and when it goes to bare soil add some wood chips or free draining wood shavings like easibed.

Thank you, I think I will do this method

 

[aart]

Don't do sand in a wet conditions trust me, hauling out sand is heavy heavy work and that is not even when it's wet and stinky. I would leave the grass and when it goes to bare soil add some wood chips or free draining wood shavings like easibed.

The easibed looks rather fine textured,
might not work as well as chipped tree-branches for a run.
Are you using this product in your run @lalalandchickens ?