Pea gravel outdoor flooring for the run - good or bad?

[lionchow]

I'm looking at River bed type of sand/ pea gravel. Any thoughts on weather it may be too large as grit? Maybe mix some grit in with it?

 

[tonim109]

Well, I started with towels, lol what a difficult mess. Then I went to pine shavings for their patio cage and now I've rebuilt their coop three times. Trying so hard to make it look nice. So in saying that, I'm gonna go with the smooth River pea rock. This way it has a little decor and at the same time mother nature can wash it off or hose it. I dont like my white bantams getting dirty in our florida black dirt and I can pick it up at home depot with some pretty plants to go around the coop. now to teach them all to follow me to the patio at night...Only two do it now. P.s. I have three bowels, 1 food, 1 water, and 1 ground granite or oyster shell

 

[LJStone]

Thank you all for your replies to the question about gravel and/or sand for chicken runs. Your advice is super helpful for me as a novice with raising backyard chickens. I am wondering if there is a type of sand that is best. I will have to purchase from a landscaper or local big box store. My plan is to lay down gravel and cover with sand. Thank you in advance for your replies.

 

[tonim109]

I am trying the sand first this weekend. I ordered the sand from Home Depot at 3.35 a bag, and starting with 10 bags in order to try to keep things a little cleaner. I figured even if I have to sill add pea rock or gravel or marble chips. the sand will still make a good base, to try and keep the black florida dirt away.

 

[urbanquackjc]

I have pea gravel where my chickens free range, and have had it for over 8 years, but with all the rain we have had, it's getting very muddy. How should I clean it down. (years of poo has made the "mud" accumulate). Based on this string, I should throw sand down too. Any advice?

 

[ChickyBaby75]

We have 2 inches of coarse sand and 2 inches pea size gravel on top of that in our run. It's worked like a charm so far. I sprinkle a mix of Sweet PDZ and DE after raking the gravel around. (Once a week or so.) The poo dries up and disappears into the gravel without smell or issue.

The girls have scratched around and mixed it up to their little heart's content. They seem to love it and will use the small-small rocks for their crop. It's been a win-win for us.

 

[aart]

I have pea gravel where my chickens free range, and have had it for over 8 years, but with all the rain we have had, it's getting very muddy. How should I clean it down. (years of poo has made the "mud" accumulate). Based on this string, I should throw sand down too. Any advice?

Yep, this is why gravel is not a good substrate for chickens.
it can become saturated with pulverized poop in less than 8 years.
Sand won't help, gotta get the 'mud' out, which may mean removing all the gravel and pulverized poops.
How big of an area is it?
How deep is the gravel?
Pics would help here.
Also.....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[cherrybombuk]

I know that this thread is super old, yet it is still SO helpful. Though I love the way that beige pea gravel/tiny polished stones look on a path, it seems that the right weight/texture sand is going to be much better for my daughter's walk in covered-chicken run (from Eglu) attached to the Egg Cart'n Chalet. Thank you all for your comments!