Pine straw in the run-thoughts?

[BiddyBiddy]

I have a 12’x12’ shed converted into a coop with a 50’x50’ run. The run has no roof, is open to the elements and has avian netting hung over it to protect from hawks. It’s only been 3 months since my new 18 member mixed flock has used it, but the once lush green grass is now brown and half dead. There are large areas where the grass is completely gone and there’s just dirt. I’d like to keep things smell free and sanitary to deter poop related illnesses. (I’ve got 2 in quarantine right now with giardia!) What do you guys think about pine straw in the areas that are bare to avoid mud and general grossness? Any dangers I should be aware of? I live in North Carolina and pine straw is redily available. Thoughts?

 

[Latestarter]

I personally do not like straw (including pine needles) for use as it's a non absorbent material. If you used it along with a bunch of other things as part of a mixture, it would be better (like grass clippings, wood chips, pulled weeds, sticks/twigs, leaves, other compostable items, etc.). IOW, a deep litter system. Just MHO.

 

[HH.Wench]

I actually like pine straw outside because its airy and springy, allows air to circulate through it and dries out fast after rain, unlike shavings, etc that absorb waste and water and can stay mucky and wet for days breeding bacteria. It also allows lime and sweet pd to fall through it to make a nice layer underneath. It lets the air and sun dry out the ground under it fairly fast.

 

[BiddyBiddy]

@https://www.backyardchickens.com/members/wyorp-rock.380647/
You’re not too far away right? Thoughts?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have a 12’x12’ shed converted into a coop with a 50’x50’ run. The run has no roof, is open to the elements and has avian netting hung over it to protect from hawks. It’s only been 3 months since my new 18 member mixed flock has used it, but the once lush green grass is now brown and half dead. There are large areas where the grass is completely gone and there’s just dirt. I’d like to keep things smell free and sanitary to deter poop related illnesses. (I’ve got 2 in quarantine right now with giardia!) What do you guys think about pine straw in the areas that are bare to avoid mud and general grossness? Any dangers I should be aware of? I live in North Carolina and pine straw is redily available. Thoughts?

That's a tough call, especially if you are dealing with Giardia - did you get confirmation from your vet on this? What was prescribed as treatment?

I do use straw in my runs, but for the most part they stay dry since I have a roof. The uncovered portion I usually rake that out frequently and add new. Having good drainage is important as well, you don't want to standing water in your run. Straw dries fairly quickly, but still needs to be stirred up in between changing, imho.

Cleaning up as much excess poop as possible will help with the stink factor. You will still have some smell especially in warm wet weather but it should not knock you down.

Some people use a deep liter method, I do not know much about that. @lazy gardener may be able to give you some tips on that.

 

[lazy gardener]

I am a fan of pine straw. I was able to pick up some when I did my fall leaf scavenger hunt. I brought home 3 truck loads of leaves from a neighboring community. Some of the pine straw went around my berries, the rest went in the coop/run.

Agreed, if you can mix extra materials in with it, that will be best. My goal with DL in the run is to do a layer of materials about 6" deep. Make those materials varied in consistency. Aged wood chips (make sure they are well aged), leaves, grass clippings, fall leaves, hay, straw, spent shavings (if you buy those) from the coop, and weeds from the yard are all great amendments.

As for the giardia, I have never dealt with that, so can't advise. I would contact your county Ag extension agent who deals with poultry for advice. Beware, the advice you receive may be geared toward "status quo" chicken management which does not know how to wrap it's head around such things as fermented feed, deep litter management, and MHP brooding.

 

[BiddyBiddy]

That's a tough call, especially if you are dealing with Giardia - did you get confirmation from your vet on this? What was prescribed as treatment?

I do use straw in my runs, but for the most part they stay dry since I have a roof. The uncovered portion I usually rake that out frequently and add new. Having good drainage is important as well, you don't want to standing water in your run. Straw dries fairly quickly, but still needs to be stirred up in between changing, imho.

Cleaning up as much excess poop as possible will help with the stink factor. You will still have some smell especially in warm wet weather but it should not knock you down.

Some people use a deep liter method, I do not know much about that. @lazy gardener may be able to give you some tips on that.

Yes, took fecal sample to the vet. He saw Giardia and no Coccidiosis. I just posted a separate thread on that situation. Would love your thoughts on that too.

 

[NinjaChicken617]

I have a similar setup as OP- a 4' x 10' enclosed covered run/coop combination (this photo was taken before we added concrete pavers around the perimeter and put up the outer fence and netting)

and a larger 25' x 50' fenced yard that is open with hawk netting above. The ground where the coop/run sits was grass when the coop went up. My 8 girls have been there for 6 weeks now and the area inside the coop is mostly just dirt now. It's protected from the elements, so I don't have issues with water, but I'd like to put something over the dirt to discourage digging in that space. There is plenty of room in the yard for scratching, digging, dust bathing, etc. so they don't NEED to scratch and dig inside the coop proper. Any suggestions?
Also, is there any reason we shouldn't be leaving fresh grass clippings in their yard after we mow? We've been just laying down a thin layer once a week or so, and they seem to like tossing it around looking for treats. We don't have issues (yet) with bad smells, flies, or mud, but we'd like to prevent all of that, so any thoughts would be very appreciated.