Rebuilding the “ground”

[TreeHugger]

WOW, I haven’t been on here in ages!!! So...I recently downsized my flock to a fraction of what I had. My coops and runs need serious work on them. I have 2 coops each with a 30’ x 40’ run attached to the back. I have downsized my flock enough where 1 coop/run is more then enough space. My plan is to repair one and then move the birds over to work on the 2nd one. The biggest issue is there is NO topsoil left in the runs; after about 10 years of use all of the topsoil has washed away. At this point I am considering having a load of topsoil bought in and rebuilding the runs. Has anyone had luck rebuilding one any other way? I am not sure if sod at this point is even a good idea... There is a good 4-6 inches of topsoil gone. If I keep my flock at the current size I would have no issues keeping a “lawn” in both runs if I rotated them between the two. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You could start a deep litter system by adding green and brown matter. With fall coming the opportunity for leaves is there. We always top off our deep litter runs in fall with a bunch of chopped up leaves mixed with the grass from mowing.

Other options like sand and gravel will need more cleaning. More top soil leaves you in the same position as you are now except new top soil will make mud more easily.

Things that are good in a deep litter system is grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, shavings, spent mulch, garden refuse and pulled weeds to name a few things. Hay and straw can be added in winter if your climate is colder.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Nice thing too with deep litter is it helps protect the ground and even improve it.

 

[Acre4Me]

WOW, I haven’t been on here in ages!!! So...I recently downsized my flock to a fraction of what I had. My coops and runs need serious work on them. I have 2 coops each with a 30’ x 40’ run attached to the back. I have downsized my flock enough where 1 coop/run is more then enough space. My plan is to repair one and then move the birds over to work on the 2nd one. The biggest issue is there is NO topsoil left in the runs; after about 10 years of use all of the topsoil has washed away. At this point I am considering having a load of topsoil bought in and rebuilding the runs. Has anyone had luck rebuilding one any other way? I am not sure if sod at this point is even a good idea... There is a good 4-6 inches of topsoil gone. If I keep my flock at the current size I would have no issues keeping a “lawn” in both runs if I rotated them between the two. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I’m not an expert as I only have 14 birds in a 10x50’ run. I’m amazed at how “clean” the run is staying and it was an old dog run for the previous owners who had leveled the area and put down inexpensive square pavers down on top of sandy soil (naturally our area has heavy clay soil, so they must have added the sand). We’ve removed most pavers so the chickens can scratch around, but are keeping them around the edges so they don’t dig their way out in the process of dust bathing. We’ve been adding the old shavings used in their coop, and occasional straw. Overall, this is a little like deep litter without the “deep” as it’s soil, sand, and miscellaneous amendments. So, I would agree with others that recommend some kind of deep litter.

My neighbor with a small flock had wetness issues so he spent 2 days laying down gravel throughout the run. This worked well and chickens (flock of 10?) are happy. He does regularly add straw on top of the gravel for them to scratch around in, and the edges of the run are still primarily dirt/grass. I know that using gravel is frowned upon by many, but he was having big issues with lots of standing water and mud in that area even though it’s not really a low spot (maybe the chickens scratched too many hollows).

For grass, you can make those grass enclosures to keep the birds from destroying it - create a low frame and cover it with some kind of hardware cloth that supports the chickens and allows thegrass to grow up through the openings.

Good luck!

 

[PouleChick]

If you think that you have enough space to keep it all grassed by rotating then that could be a lovely option for them - either laying turf or seeding (perhaps needing some topsoil before you did). As others have said you could also go the deep litter option which they seem to love, or you could maybe do half half and perhaps lawn the back half (for example) of the 2 runs then have DL at the front. If you didn't want to buy soil then let them DL an area (maybe 1/2 of one run for speed) and they will rebuild that soil, basically making compost and then you could grass over. There are other options as well as grass, I'm sure there would be ground cover type things that chickens would like to eat, feeding panel things along edges - you could actually do something pretty cool!

 

[aart]

If I keep my flock at the current size I would have no issues keeping a “lawn” in both runs if I rotated them between the two. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Really? You were able to do this before?
Well, if you want to keep 'lawn' in there then topsoil would be the thing to add.
If not, I would suggest 'deep' litter..or...I use 'shallow' litter,
big wood chunks(aged ramial wood chippings) and other dry plant materials(browns) to 'eat' up the poops.

Other pics in album:

 

[igorsMistress]

I will second deep litter to build the soil and then either seed or sod for grass. My girls have made quick work of the compost pile and I have some beautiful dirt in there in a year. We're adding grass clippings to the coop litter until it's dormant for the winter and they love it!

Afterward you can plant in both runs or just one and keep the other deep litter if you want.