Outside run question?

[katycouts]

So we have shed that our girls sleep in and lay in. They have a covered outside area that they spend most of the day. Right now we have hay in there but I’m thinking of switching to sand. What are y’all’s thoughts?

 

[katycouts]

A picture of their outdoor area

 

[Isadora]

I don't prefer hay except in nest boxes or in the coop in the winter if I'm expecting bitter Temps. Hay and straw gets matted and heavy when soiled and takes a longer time to break down, making it a beast to switch for fresh.
I don't know about sand...that would probably depend on your climate. Generally speaking, whereabouts are you located?
I use wood chips from a tree service for this kind of situation.

 

[EagleEyes]

I built a 8' by 18' run, dugout 6" deep and put in 8" of sand.
I did this to a run that I built about 8 years ago and it worked out really well.
I posted an article the other day about the run that I built you can look under my name

 

[deidreg]

Another option is a thick layer of natural mulch (6" - 8"), also known as "deep litter". My hens compost their own poop so I don't need to clean it out. My run is covered, so it stays dry.

A few times a year, I will add another bag or two. Once a year, I clean it out completely and put in new mulch. It's easy and doesn't smell.

 

[3KillerBs]

Where, in general, are you located?

The vast majority of people who are happy with sand bedding live in a dry climate. Dry sand + poop = scoopable clumps. But some poop dust accumulates over time.

Wet sand + poop = unbearable reek of rotting chicken poop.

I personally prefer Deep Bedding in my coop and Deep Litter in my run.

Using Deep Bedding in a Small Coop

 

[EagleEyes]

The OP and I both have covered runs so the sand stays dry that's a big difference

 

[katycouts]

Where, in general, are you located?

The vast majority of people who are happy with sand bedding live in a dry climate. Dry sand + poop = scoopable clumps. But some poop dust accumulates over time.

Wet sand + poop = unbearable reek of rotting chicken poop.

I personally prefer Deep Bedding in my coop and Deep Litter in my run.

Using Deep Bedding in a Small Coop

I’m in south Texas.

 

[katycouts]

The OP and I both have covered runs so the sand stays dry that's a big difference

Yeah my run is only partially covered.

 

[3KillerBs]

I’m in south Texas.

You might check on your state thread to see if people in your area are happy with sand runs over a period of years.