Planning on just using the dirt that was there for the run, but it is constantly muddy

[ChickenCanoe]

X2

 

[ChickenPapaCT]

Yeah, my memory not getting any better as I age... It was crystaline silica that is the problem... not silicates. Here's the article I read online if anyone is interested. http://www.safesand.com/information.htm I'll stick to washed construction sand when I get it.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might read this about muddy runs.

Pat’s Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs):
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run

But yes, if it is a low spot you need to build it up and give the water a place to drain to. Water can’t drain away if it has no place top go.

Wood, cinder blocks, plastic, about anything that will keep the sand from washing out will work to build up the sides as long as it is something the chickens won’t eat. A better way with that pea gravel is to put it down on the bottom and dump sand on top of that. Sand will work its way down into the mud and disappear over time. It’s simply denser than clay or swamp muck and gravity pulls it down. A layer of gravel under it slows that disappearing act.

The reason for the warnings against play sand is that play sand is so fine it will pass straight through their system if they eat it so it is not good for grit. Coarse sand will stay in the gizzard for a little while and act as grit.