New coop build question.

[RuralAmy]

Hi all! We are building a new coop and run for our girls. My question is if these 1/4” rocks are unsafe to use for the run floor and if we need to clear it out? Added photos. Fenced area is their indoor run right now.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Looks like gravel. We use it in some places. Chickens eat the smaller stuff. Should be fine. It will eventually pack down more. You can always top dress with some sand to help it pack.

 

[RuralAmy]

Looks like gravel. We use it in some places. Chickens eat the smaller stuff. Should be fine. It will eventually pack down more. You can always top dress with some sand to help it pack.

Awesome. Thank you!!!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Personally would not recommend gravel especially as the sole substrate, it can be hard on their feet to have nothing softer to dig through and you may have odor issues as poop works its way down and breaks down under the gravel.

 

[RuralAmy]

Personally would not recommend gravel especially as the sole substrate, it can be hard on their feet to have nothing softer to dig through and you may have odor issues as poop works its way down and breaks down under the gravel.

Definitely don’t want their poor feet having issues let alone odor issues. What about adding sand to it?
This used to be a play area for the previous owners and just held a trampoline for the last few years for us. There is plastic under the gravel to subdue any weed/grass growth.
we have somewhere else to locate the rocks, and sounds like that is what will need to happen.
In our current run we just have dirt and pine chips. Is there a better option for the run floor that we can get? The only good thing about the pine chips is how quickly they absorb moisture and dry out. Bad thing is shoveling it all out as it takes forever to break down.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Definitely don’t want their poor feet having issues let alone odor issues. What about adding sand to it?
This used to be a play area for the previous owners and just held a trampoline for the last few years for us. There is plastic under the gravel to subdue any weed/grass growth.
we have somewhere else to locate the rocks, and sounds like that is what will need to happen.
In our current run we just have dirt and pine chips. Is there a better option for the run floor that we can get? The only good thing about the pine chips is how quickly they absorb moisture and dry out. Bad thing is shoveling it all out as it takes forever to break down.

Is it possible to remove that plastic under the gravel?

With dirt and pine chips, you have the basis of deep litter. There shouldn't be any need to shovel it out, because everything ought to be able to break down. I wonder if the plastic is interfering with the natural composting process that should occur when poop + pine chips + whatever other natural plant material you add (dead leaves, pine needles, etc.) meet dirt.

 

[RuralAmy]

Is it possible to remove that plastic under the gravel?

With dirt and pine chips, you have the basis of deep litter. There shouldn't be any need to shovel it out, because everything ought to be able to break down. I wonder if the plastic is interfering with the natural composting process that should occur when poop + pine chips + whatever other natural plant material you add (dead leaves, pine needles, etc.) meet dirt.

I may have jumbled my words a bit, lol. In their current run it’s just dirt and pine chips.
In the new run we’re building, there’s tons of gravel and plastic under that. I was just thinking that if we remove the gravel, we’d also have to remove the plastic to expose the dirt (I also don’t want the girls shredding the plastic and eating it.
We have hard clay soil here in Western Wyoming. Unless the ground is wet, it can be hard for the hens to scratch through. So in the new run, after gravel and plastic are removed, would there be any other option to put on the ground aside from pine chips?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What about adding sand to it?

Sand works best dry and in an arid environment, and with daily or very frequent spot clean up. Does that match up with your climate and maintenance plans?

So in the new run, after gravel and plastic are removed, would there be any other option to put on the ground aside from pine chips?

Ideally for deep litter chunky aged wood chips would be the base. Add to that any chicken safe organic matter you can source from the yard: dried grass clippings, dried leaves, weeds or garden trimmings. As those all break down you'll probably find yourself with a good amount of quality soil or compost.

 

[RuralAmy]

Sand works best dry and in an arid environment, and with daily or very frequent spot clean up. Does that match up with your climate and maintenance plans?

Ideally for deep litter chunky aged wood chips would be the base. Add to that any chicken safe organic matter you can source from the yard: dried grass clippings, dried leaves, weeds or garden trimmings. As those all break down you'll probably find yourself with a good amount of quality soil or compost.

Sand wouldn’t work here then. We get about 6-8 feet of snow pack every year along with rain. We’re putting hardware cloth about 3-4 feet high around the coop and about 4 inches into the ground (we have voles), then chicken wire around the rest of the run. So pine chips seems to be the best route like we’ve been doing. Really appreciate all your feedback on this. Very helpful. Thank you.